Leadership – Perhaps It’s a Little Bit More

“He puzzled and puzzled ‘til his puzzler was sore. Then, the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. Maybe Christmas, he thought . . . doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps. . . means a little bit more.”

— Dr. Seuss

As a graduate of Leadership Park City, volunteer, mentor to young leaders in my classes at Treasure Mountain Junior High School, I think about leadership a lot.

I believe that leadership is . . . a little bit more.

It is a little bit more than being the CEO of a giant corporation, being President of any country, or even, leading men into battle.

Leadership is about the little things.

When I lived and worked at Sundance, I walked from the offices to the Tree Room with the General Manager. He stopped and scooped up litter, including cigarette butts.

My dearest friends noted that “Julie’s highs are high and her lows are low.” When I am very low, it’s difficult, actually impossible, for me to eat. I get weak.

Most say, “You’re strong. You’ll get through it.” There are few things a person in my position wants to hear less.  Some say, “You look absolutely skeletal.”  That doesn’t help.

One day, my friends saw my car parked at the local elementary school. The dogs and I were playing ball. I hardly had the energy to toss the tennis ball and follow after them. My friend stopped. She had her 12-year-old daughter, Katie, with her. I was so weak that they, together, scooped me up. Katie grew up. She was my student. She was in my classroom day after day. But, Katie never judged what I considered my weakness.

Recently, I learned that leadership is sending a note when someone is hurting, dropping off flowers, smiling, listening, allowing tears and, simply, being kind.

Leadership is love.

It is a little bit more.