Leaders with signature strengths always have the option to use their gifts in ways that make others feel special. Sometimes those strengths are not skills or talents but status, relationships, influence or experience. When leaders go out of their way to marshal their intangible assets to make others feel important or special, they show themselves to be especially gracious. Acting with such humanity displays a leadership character many people want to follow.
As a former US President, Jimmy Carter had deep experience in many areas of government and diplomacy. But it was his status as a former leader of the free world that stood out as the gift he could give to others. He decided to use that status to make people feel valued.
After serving as the 39th President, Carter dedicated himself to making the world safer, more democratic and more humane. In the years that followed his time in government, he flew commercially to all parts of the US and the world. And on every single flight, he used his status as a former President to touch the hearts of everyone else on the plane.
Before he took his seat, Carter would shake hands with everyone on board. The grace in that simple act touched many people in the nearly 50 years he made a habit of this magnanimous gesture. Carter passed away recently at 100-years-old. Unfortunately for fliers everywhere, he will shake hands no more.
Not many leaders hold a celebratory status or influence that can move hearts with a simple handshake, but nearly all leaders have strengths, assets and intangible qualities that can be applied to achieve the same outcome. Anytime a leader uses their position, their skills, or their qualities to make others feel special and appreciated, they act with grace.
Consider some everyday examples: Leaders who use their platform to publicly call out the contributions of others, or who use their relationships to bring an honored guess to a small gathering, or who use their influence to create an audience with a distinguished person for someone on their team, or who extend their access to special privileges to others. All it takes is a little creativity and the desire to make others feel important.
Simple gestures can go a long way to move people if they are thoughtful and genuine. Leaders have many strengths and assets at their disposal to influence others. Using those resources to make others feel valued comes from true compassion and grace. You have what it takes to do so, the only question is “Will you?”
