The Story
Two years ago, on Memorial Day, I was in a quiet field with my husband, placing wooden crosses in the ground. We were honoring veterans—his father, my father, others we never met. As I watched him take pride in each one, a realization hit me: this was leadership.
The Trap
In high-stakes sales leadership, we equate visibility with value. We believe that leading from the front means being loud, commanding, and always “on.” But leadership isn’t about being seen—it’s about what you build in others when no one’s watching. That Memorial Day, we served people who couldn’t even see us. No recognition. No applause. Just a quiet, powerful act of honoring others. That’s the trap: thinking leadership only counts when it’s noticed.
The Fix
Shift your lens. Start asking: “Who am I serving today that might never know it?” Maybe it’s checking in on a struggling rep. Maybe it’s coaching without credit. Maybe it’s just staying steady when others waver. Leadership, at its core, is service without the spotlight. If you want to elevate your team, start by lowering your ego. Find your Memorial Day moment—the one where no one’s watching, but everything changes.
Challenge & CTA
This week, do one thing for someone on your team that you don’t tell anyone about. No credit. No announcement. Just serve.