Written by: Brian Wood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
For someone who embraces solitude (at a shocking level), there is an element of hypocrisy baked into the following words.
It's a proven fact (at least according to me) that the following are two of the all-time greatest inventions
Coffee ‒ self-explanatory. If you don't like coffee or dogs, we probably can't be friends.
The garage door opener ‒ Are you telling me that I don't have to communicate with any neighbors? I can just press a magic button to open and close the garage door enabling me to practically become invisible? I can even protect myself for being trapped in a small talk conversation surrounded by thoughts of "I wonder if I can fake a hamstring injury and escape."
Yes please!
Obviously, there is no downside to coffee, but the garage door opener can contribute to problems beneath the initial joy.
People can be surrounded by others and yet feel alone. Your neighbor who once experienced the company and love of a spouse is now broken-hearted and isolated. For whatever reason, the house across the street that was once filled with laughter, hugs and family memories now feel empty.
You never know what someone is going through. You never know what pain may live behind the masks we wear on their faces daily. We all have stuff that we’re fighting through and things that we’re dealing with.
Think of the last time you experienced darkness in your life. Maybe during this challenging chapter in your life, you received a random act of kindness. What did you experience that meant so much to you? It could have been person a few apartments away from you who shared a smile and a brief but authentic conversation at the mailbox. You couldn’t even remember her name, but that interaction showed up for at just the right time. Perhaps it was the guy who you always see walking around your neighborhood. Apparently, his daughter ordered too many girl scout cookies and during his walk he gives you a box of thin mints (a fan favorite) and says, “This one is on me – I’d rather give these calories to you then eat them myself!”
Or maybe you can’t recall receiving a random act of kindness when you desperately needed something – anything! What would you have appreciated most in that moment? Whatever it is that would have meant the world to you, is something you can probably do for others to pay it forward. Let’s imagine that when you were struggling, you head to a drive-through coffee shop to take your mind off things. After placing your order for a medium hot black coffee and everything bagel with butter, you proceed to the cashier to make payment. At that point the cashier cheerfully advises you that the previous customer randomly paid for your order. It was not an expensive act, but the gesture was powerful and appreciated beyond words. Regardless of the specific deed, a random act of kindness is undefeated and benefits the giver and receiver.
It’s not a “nice thing to do” but it is our responsibility to lift others up and help those who may be straining to lift themselves up. It’s our obligation to help people understand they are not alone, even though it may feel like that’s the case. This holds true in both our personal and professional worlds. When reflecting on the best leaders we’ve experienced throughout our journey, we usually remember the ones that helped us get to a better place. We recall the leader who believed in us, the neighbor who was unconditionally in our corner or the manager you didn’t report to but offered you career advice.
Don't run from an opportunity to connect with someone, lead with humanity and show up to serve others.
And don’t be afraid to give that garage door opener an occasional break!
Brian Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Brian Wood combines 30 years of corporate experience with his background as an athlete, certified player agent (NBA, WNBA, and FIBA), and a certified professional success coach to provide clients with a unique perspective and guidance toward the next level of achievement. Wood is passionate about continuous personal and professional growth including organizational development, training, and gamification. He is enthusiastic about helping leaders leverage their gifts to drive impact and success. Wood supports major corporations, professional sports organizations, and municipalities. He provides confidential, professional, and executive coaching, speaking engagements, virtual and in-person facilitation.
