Never Forget Where You Came From

Recently, I completed the draft of my book, “Doing the Opposite: Insights for New Leadership Success”. Part of the approach I took was to interview several leaders and business executives, gathering their input and advice to be included in the book.

One of the executives I wanted to mention in my book is deceased, but his widow was willing to share insights as to the type of leader her husband was. As we wrapped up the interview, I asked her one final question, “Your husband was obviously very well respected and he accomplished many firsts in his career, but what is the one factor that contributed the most to his success?” She responded, “He never forgot where he came from”.

She shared with me how he grew up in economically challenging times and although his family did not have much, he appreciated what they had. He faced many adversities in his life, whether it was as a star college athlete in the 50’s, fighting for civil rights or climbing the corporate ladder… yet he never forgot where he came from.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the titles we hold, the positions we are looking to secure and difficulties we are facing that we don’t always take time to look back and remember where we came from. Sometimes, they hold the key to where we are going.