“And as we let our light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
- Marianne Williamson, quoted by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech.

Extraordinary everyday moments
Michael fills out forms, verifies documents and deals with 100's of people daily who'd rather be anywhere else. Yet, by being authentic he 'lets his light shine' becoming a conduit for joy and connection, inspiring everyone he meets.

Michael’s the perfect example of creating the experience that allows him to perform at his peak. In this brief, bureaucratic interaction he honoured all of who he is, in all that he does. He had fun music playing and kept his tiny space organized. He greeted me with a smile, and made the all-important personal connection by commenting on my child and proudly showing me a picture of his daughter.
He guided me through this usually mundane process by engaging me in a conversation with his friendly and fun demeanor. Before I knew it, my application was done. This dreaded morning turned into a wonderful moment of human connection. 

Leading by example
Michael exemplifies being a leader in all that you do. While respecting and honouring the job he’s paid to do, he incorporates his important personal values – family, humour, fun and curiosity.

He literally creates his own reality – a fun, interactive, social encounter with everyone by hosting a party in his work space. Michael brings human connection into his work without sacrificing quality. We were done in a record 9 minutes. By being authentically who he is, Michael not only enhances the reputation of his organisation, he inspires those around him. He’s a perfect illustration that leadership is not just what you do or say, but how you ‘be’. Michael doesn’t run the whole show, but he’s absolutely a leader in his organisation, his life and the world. 

Be a leader in your world
Notice when you feel alive. What are you doing? Who are you with? What are you honouring? Now, think of what makes you tired, irritated, unfulfilled. What can you bring into to the latter circumstances to make you feel fulfilled and more engaged? Maybe you need more fun and humour in your life. Or, learn something new about a colleague by having a conversation outside of your usual topics. But, whatever you do, don’t complain. Maya Angelou says it best, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”  H&L

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