Lead By Example

You're not a true leader if you can't jump in and get your hands dirty sometimes. Of course being in a higher position, you technically don't have to work as hard as when you were an employee, but, if you want your team to succeed, you're going to have to step up sometimes.

While working at one of the hotels, I was in a management position and I was almost 3 months pregnant with my 4th child. I worked an hour away from home and had to come help my team when they needed me; mainly because we would be short staffed or there were scheduling conflicts. I had to fill in at the front desk, drive the shuttle, and whatever else was lacking. Did I like doing it? No, but I knew in order for us to be successful, this was what needed to be done. I was salary and worked over 40 hours a week. My body was tired (remember I'm pregnant at this time) and I just wanted to sit at my desk, but that just wasn't me. I knew what it was like to not have anyone help me, especially someone in leadership. Some people think they're too good to "work with the help", but what they fail to realize is they were once one of those "helpers".

Unless you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, we all had to start at the bottom to get where we are today. That's why I like the show Undercover Boss because a lot of those bosses/owners had never been an actual worker and knew what it was like on a day to day basis. They didn't realize how hard their employees worked, the struggles they went through everyday, sometimes just to get to work. A lot of those employees were so grateful to have a job and never complained because they loved what they did. That's why so many of them got huge rewards from corporate leaders. They appreciated everything they did in order to make sure their company ran smoothly.

I can say I had some good bosses and some not so good. I appreciated the ones that took me under their wing and guided me. I know what it's like to be a follower and grow into a leader. I will never take for granted what I've learned.