“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” Steve Jobs
Last week I attended The Future of Leadership conference, a fantastic event in support of the charity Hands Across The Water. As well as hearing from nine inspiring speakers on the themes of ownership and progress within leadership, it was also the little things that made a big difference. It reminded me of when you watch a fireworks display and at each explosion of colour and sound, collective ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ are heard from the crowd. I heard a collective ooh quite a few times at this event, and they began right at registration.
– Our name badges each had a different quote about leadership on them, a nice talking point for those initial awkward networking moments.
– For those who pre-booked the carpark, the paid carpark ticket was safely tucked into the name badge. No mucking around signing or finding stuff.
– As we exited for the morning break, mentally steeling ourselves for the inevitable long coffee queues, we were greeted at the door with the choice of a Latte, Cappuccino or Flat White already made and ready to go.
– At the Hands Across The Water table, we were told about how their organised bike rides that they run for adults are now catering for young people from aged 17, designed as an alternate option to schoolies week. The ooh from the parents of teens was very audible!
It got me thinking about thinking. What more can we do to create those collective oohs at work and at our events, those little things that make a big difference in both impression and satisfaction. Firstly, we need to break our current habits and patterns, and create a new habit of being able to step outside of our autopilot thinking. Anytime you find yourself resigned or irritated by a process, think about how it could be made better and you may well create an ooh.
Links worth clicking on:
Hands Across The Water
The Future of Leadership