A big part of my job is making other people look good. It’s about preparing for the unexpected and setting my team up for success and I absolutely love it. Taking care of others and knowing I helped make someone’s day a little easier brings me genuine joy. It’s what keeps me coming back for more.
But what happens when you feel like you’ve fallen short? When you didn’t give what was expected or what you expected of yourself? Do you give up? Do you let one moment define you?
Life is a collection of tiny choices. Each one builds upon the next, eventually shaping the experiences we have and the mindset we carry.
Sometimes I think we’re blessed by what we don’t know.
Some of my most courageous moments came purely out of ignorance. My lack of experience gave me the naïve courage I needed to try. Had I known then what I know now, I might have chosen a different path—an easier path. One where my inexperience wasn’t on display for everyone to see.
But here’s what I’ve learned about being underprepared: the more honest you are with your team and the more willing you are to learn, the more grace people are willing to give you. People enjoy being around people they genuinely like. It’s a simple truth. I know I gravitate toward people who are kind, humble, and encouraging, and I’m guessing you do too.
Likability isn’t about being the loudest person in the room or having all the answers. It’s about showing up with humility, positivity, and a willingness to grow. Those are qualities worth developing because they make everyone around us better.
I say we should teach ourselves these qualities first because anything we hope to see in others begins with us. If you want a team that is friendly, humble, and helpful, be those things yourself. Model them consistently. Don’t grow lazy in your pursuit of becoming the kind of person others want to work alongside.
We can all take a lesson from Winston Churchill, who believed we should “aim high; never allow mistakes or criticism to get you down; waste no energy on grudges, duplicity, or infighting; and always make room for joy.”
Our time on this earth is short, and while many things are outside our control, the way we respond is not. Our attitude, our words, and our actions remain within our power.
This week, although I’ve known this for years, it struck me in a fresh way: every single day we have the opportunity to influence someone else’s life. We have the power to shape how people feel about themselves, about a situation, and about us. That’s an incredible responsibility and an incredible privilege.
Life isn’t always easy, and every one of us will face challenges. But success is often found in the ordinary, day-by-day moments. It’s found in how we respond to others, both verbally and nonverbally. Those seemingly small interactions leave lasting impressions. They either strengthen our relationships or slowly erode them.
So I’ll ask you the same question I’ve been asking myself:
Have you ever taken a risk simply because you didn’t know enough to be afraid? And looking back, what did that experience teach you?
Sometimes not feeling fully prepared is exactly what allows us to be brave!
“Perfection is the enemy of progress.” Winston Churchill
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