I want to share a story with you today, about an executive, Lisa, who attended one of our Mentora workshops: 

As Lisa stood in the ordering queue at a Starbucks next to her office, she noticed that the woman in front of her was carrying an attractive designer handbag. She exclaimed appreciatively, “What a beautiful bag — is this part of the new Louis Vuitton line?” The woman turned her head to shoot a dismissive look toward Lisa, as though saying, “Don’t bother me!” Without a word, she resumed facing forward. Lisa felt miffed, but she shrugged it off, and a few minutes later, latte in hand, returned to her office. 

Soon there was a knock on her door. It was her next appointment — a candidate she was interviewing for an open position in her group. She looked up from her desk to see a startled face. The candidate at the door was none other than the woman with the Louis Vuitton handbag.

Just imagine how this woman may have felt about her earlier conduct as she stood face-to-face with Lisa. Perhaps at Starbucks, she had been feeling stressed about something, or mentally rehearsing her lines for the interview. Who can say? Regardless of her mitigating circumstances, as she entered Lisa’s office she must have deeply regretted not being at her best when Lisa had inquired about her bag. 

Leadership isn’t a formal suit you put on to go out and perform in the spotlight. It is a fundamental value that guides you to approach every role, public and private, personal and professional, with the intent of operating from your Core, the space from where your best self arises, and seeking to have the greatest impact.

This story about how life moments are leadership moments is shared in my book, Inner Mastery, Outer Impact, along with others. 

Life moments are leadership moments. We’re being invited, in every moment, to live and lead from our Inner Core.