This morning, while sitting on a full train, Spotify surprised me with a song that deeply resonated with me: Blessing Offor’s magnificent “Somebody’s Child.” Imagine being in a crowded train. If you’re anything like me, your first reaction might be one of annoyance. As I sat there feeling annoyed, I heard Blessing sing, “we’re all somebody’s child.” This changed my perspective entirely.
Think about the last time you were really mad at a colleague or perhaps even a stranger. Now picture this person as somebody’s child. What would you say to his or her mother? “Boy, did you do a crappy job raising this one?” Blessing continues, “we’re all somebody’s heartache, somebody’s can’t wait, somebody’s why.” This is what people-minded leadership is all about.
Some of you might have noticed my new background photo. I have given my coaching approach a name: people-minded leadership. Being people-minded means valuing and understanding individuals’ perspectives, needs, and well-being through meaningful connections with ourselves and others. Regardless of rank, everyone deserves to be engaged, enabled, and empowered, allowing us to harness the transformative power of a shared sense of purpose.
Stay tuned for more! For now, who are you going to engage, enable, and empower today? Please share in the comments if you are ready to do so. If not, check out “Somebody’s Child” by Blessing Offor, I dare you not to feel inspired!
