Hot Chocolate and the Emotionally Intelligent Leader
One of my earliest memories of being managed was working for McDonald’s Corporation during high school. One evening on the closing shift, I found this doodad, this gadget that didn’t look like it was of any importance. I made a judgement, and I threw the doodad away.
When I arrived at work the next day the Store Manager told me that there was a part missing from the hot chocolate machine. As she described it, I realized it was the doodad I had thrown away.
Faced with the choice to lie or confess, I chose honesty. She looked at me and remained completely calm as she told me that the doodad I had thrown away cost $500 to replace. She added that it would be a couple of days before the replacement part could arrive, so as a result the store’s customers could not order hot chocolate…during a Minnesota winter no less. Fear grew in my gut, thinking I was going to be fired.
Instead, she said something unforgettable: “Kevin, sometimes things like this happen. Twenty years from now, no one will care that you threw away that $500 part, but tell me please, what have you learned?” I stammered and said, “I should never assume that something I find isn’t important and at least should ask.” She said, “You won’t do this again, will you?” I shook my head, no. “Good,” she said, “then a lesson has been learned. Now go punch in and let’s have a good day!”
There is one thing she was wrong about: It’s been way more than twenty years and I still care that I threw away that $500 part. But more importantly, I remember her approach, her tone, her tenor and how she treated me.
Being an emotionally intelligent leader takes work and an understanding of yourself – what drives you, what irks you and how you leverage success mindsets. If you want to know more about advancing your career as a leader, let’s have a chat.
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