Here’s a quick quiz for you, to exercise those grey cells……!

1.       Name the five wealthiest people in the world

2.      Name five people who have won the Nobel Peace Prize

3.      Name five people who have won the Pulitzer Prize

4.      Name the last five Football World Cup Winners

5.      Name the last five Academy Awards for best actor and actress

So, how did you do? If you are like my cousin Richard you will have got all the answers right to all of the questions. However, for most of us we probably got some of all of them, or maybe all of some of them. For many of us we don’t remember yesterday’s news. Those ‘winners’ above are the best in their fields and yet the applause and the accolades can quickly fade from our memories.

What about these…..

1.       Name five teachers who helped you through your school/college/university days

2.      Name five friends who have helped you through difficult times

3.      Name five people who have helped you learn something worthwhile

4.      Name five people in your working life who have inspired you

5.      Name five leaders you have worked for who have evoked your loyalty and had such belief in you that you have stretched yourself and achieved an enormous amount (*)

How did you do this time? The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most letters after their name, the most money, and the most awards. The people who make a difference are those that care, that create an emotional connection with us.   

How about the leaders in your organisation? Can you name at least five, who:

§         Build trust and credibility within their teams

§         Create intense loyalty and instil self-belief within the individuals that make up those teams

§         Give praise and encouragement to keep their people going, especially when times are tough

§         Create confidence and knowledge by communicating a clear picture of the journey and destination?

And are you one of them?

(*)       By the way, if you can only name one or two for this question, you are not in the minority! If you can reel off 5 quickly and confidently do tell us about them and their organisation and what it was they did/do!