The Difference Can Make All the Difference
“I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me, and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
I had a professor, Dr. Ponder, who challenged me daily. Yes, he had exacting standards in the classroom, and he expected us all to know and execute what he taught. Dr. Ponder knew so much about his subject matter. He had worked in the industry as well as taught for many years. He was an industry-recognized authority. While Dr. Ponder was on faculty, every year, industry experts would contact him to try and hire his students for their companies. Business leaders knew a Dr. Ponder student would know all the important stuff.
But in hindsight, I would say the most important thing Dr. Ponder did daily was believe in us, his students. He was unique and this made a difference in how we learned and worked, and as we all know, the difference can make all the difference.
What made him so unique was three things:
- He knew my name. He knew every student’s name. Now, 40 years later, he remembers most of his students.
- As mentioned, he knew his subject matter and taught in a way that allowed us to use the information in our careers. I still use his notes years later.
- Also, as mentioned, he believed in us. He encouraged us to learn, become experts and be successful in our careers.
He believed in me, and I never had the heart to let him down. I continued to work as he taught; to grow what he planted all those years ago. I learned from the best that believing in others is an excellent way to start their growth. Today, I work (as he taught) to show my belief in my team. I set ambitious standards and challenge my team daily to be better. I don’t want to correct them to change them; I want to coach them to be successful now and in the future.
Be the difference and keep believing in your team,
Jeff
