Becoming a Generous Leader

By Tina Marie St.Cyr

I was waiting for a flight back to Houston from Calgary. It had been my first international assignment for my company. I was in Calgary to train the new teams in the Calgary office on our communication procedures and Gas Trading System.

Also waiting was a lady who worked 5 floors above me in the Business Development division for Mergers and Acquisitions. She asked to sit next to me. “Hello, I am Sandra.” “Tina Marie, I answered.”

In my year with the firm, I had noticed Sandra was always immaculately put together, well-spoken, poised and cheerful. I had admired her way of being in company conferences.

“Where are you sitting on the plane?”, she asked.

Looking down at my ticket, I answered,  “22A”

She promptly took my tickets and said, “I’ll be right back.” 

When she returned, she cheerfully announced, “Now we are sitting together.”

Sitting next to Sandra, an Executive Vice President, I found myself enjoying my first-ever first-class experience on that flight back to Houston.

At the young age of 22, our conversation on that 4-hour flight poured wisdom and professional experience into me.

🙂 Smile and listen. - More can be revealed when you take time to listen. Turn up your listening and turn down your want to be heard.

💡 Do not jump to answer - The most important parts of a discussion will come at the end of the meeting after the flood of ideas has surfaced. Participate in the richest part of the solution, the summary, that is when the key decisions are being made.

📝 Take notes - despite our best intentions, our memory is not accurate. Take notes and refer to them to understand. Clarify what you heard before you believe it is what was said.

GENEROUS LEADERSHIP

Learning to balance the focus of obtaining your own results, those that your leadership replies on you to achieve and, also, focusing on the individual goals of your team members, is a leader’s juggling act.

Outside of the standard team meetings and project team touch points, placing time in your schedule to have 15 - 30 minute one on one’s at least every two weeks will prove beneficial to help your team feel seen, heard, valued and connected.

Let your team know this is part of your authentic leadership style and that they “are not in trouble’ when you call a one-on-one so that they learn to relax and be present in these mentorship meetings.

As a mentor, you are willing to see the other person and help them see themselves in new ways. More than motivating, your words, your time, and your interest in their well-being can help them believe in themselves in ways they would not alone. 

Sandra and I became great friends. Her mentorship over 9 years is still in the fabric of my leadership skills today. Her natural leadership style helped me develop mine. I am forever grateful.

QUESTIONS FROM GROWTH

❓What wisdom has been poured into you?

❓Who can you thank for your advancement?

❓How can you impact the life of another young professional?