Between the ages of 11 through 16 I was a member of my local Boy Scout troop. I still consider it one of the best formative experiences of my youth that had and continues to have long-lasting impact on my life. In addition to learning practical skills, I also received a character education. One particular lesson learned has become a mission statement for my life.
Weekend-long camping trips were one of my favorite experiences. On Sunday, we would break camp, pack everything up, and then spend time returning our campsite back to its natural and undisturbed essence. I remember a particular adult leader who would always remind us to leave the campsite better than we found it. Thinking back on that, he was teaching us to appreciate the gift we had received, and to return that gift to others in better condition than we had initially received it. It was a lesson in servanthood and stewardship.
This lesson that I learned back in my scouting days has always served me well in both sales and leadership positions. As a salesperson, we have a unique opportunity to serve others by helping them identify problems and providing workable solutions to eliminate those problems. If we do our job well, we leave them better than we found them. I’ve always tried to remember that the noble calling of sales requires us to focus on the customer and their needs, not our own. Selling becomes serving when we focus on our customers. When our motivation is to leave them better than we found them, we do our very best work.
As a leader, this also becomes a powerful idea when we think about the responsibility we have for those we lead. I try always to remember that if I am to be effective as a leader, I must do the things that make it possible for me to leave them better than I found them. The measure of the value I bring will be in the success of those who I have been given the privilege of shepherding.
Beyond our careers, this idea can extend to every relationship we have with others. Are we givers or are we takers? Do we build people up, or do we tear them down? Are we motivated by our own personal needs or do we choose the higher calling to spend our days serving others? It’s a mindset, but it’s the difference between joy and frustration, happiness and emptiness.
How would your life be different if you made the decision every time you interacted with a potential customer, an employee, or any individual, to leave them better than you found them?
What are your thoughts and suggestions for leaving them better than you found them? Share your ideas and stories with us. If you would like to have a conversation about being a better salesperson or leader, reach out to me at jkenney@safestreets.com.