Invisible Heroes, Untapped Resources

Leadership Coaching Notes December 2011

Recently, I had the sad honor of co-leading the memorial service for an unassuming 45 year old man who I knew for only 2 years, but who I had come to admire deeply. I hadn’t had much visibility to his work life, but was awed, enriched and humbled by it during the week after his death.

Here’s the Story:

Ed was a videographer, one of the unseen, unheralded cameramen and women who shoot TV shows, university programs, and professional sporting events. To the viewers, he was typically invisible. (He did make it on TV once for an instant replay when he was flattened by an NBA player.)

After Ed died, heartfelt comments about his professionalism, values, mentoring, inspiration and friendship poured in on Facebook from his behind-the-scenes colleagues. Touchingly, many changed their Facebook pictures to his. Their expressions of loss and appreciation carried a whole community through a tough time.

At his memorial service, crews he’d worked with more than 20 years earlier attended. They were totally present. Leaders pay me a lot to help strengthen their executive presence, but these men and women needed no coaching. They came with an open hearted, unpretentious, generosity of spirit and expressions of warm support that lit up the entire experience.

Since the memorial, this community has supported Ed’s wife with ongoing FB postings, invitations to take Ed’s place at their events and enthusiastic welcomes when she attends. They have been a powerful, essential support system she hadn’t realized she had.

I discovered that camera crews film each other in unsuspecting moments. They splice their clips together to share at holiday parties when it is time to laugh. The following clip is a sample of a memorial one of them created for Ed.  We shared it to finish his memorial service.

If you want to feel really good, it is worth 2 minutes to watch. You’ll meet Ed, enjoy the care put into creating it, and remember the magic that unsung heroes have to offer.

So What?

If senior leaders and white-collar professionals consistently saw, acknowledged, tapped and embodied the energy, spirit and kindness available from those who work at the periphery of their attention, the work place would be better for all. Perhaps the culture of Zappos is a most familiar example of a company who’s done this well.

What’s Next:

I’ve begun interacting with customer service people and others who work behind the scenes differently. What can I notice about them and their worlds? How can I show my appreciation? What might I offer them that supports their success?  I’m rewarded with more ease, connection and assistance than I’ve invited before.  Give it a try and please share your experiences!

If you are a leader who would like to explore how to stay highly motivated yourself and create more inspired work environments for everyone, contact me. The first call is always free.

All the best,

Meredith Kimbell
Executive Advisor,
Strategy Consultant Corporate Adventure

Leadership Coaching Notes uses real or composite client examples drawn from 25 years of coaching and consulting with leaders committed to solving their toughest personal, interpersonal and organizational issues.
Unless otherwise attributed, all material is copyrighted by Meredith Kimbell © 2011. All rights reserved. You may reprint any or all of this material if you include the following: “Leadership Coaching Notes © 2011 Meredith Kimbell, Corporate Adventure, Reston, VA. Used with permission.”

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