Leadership lessons from Uncle Eddie
My uncle Eddie passed away this week. Along with passing my sincere condolences to his loving family, I spent some quiet time reflecting on his life and the impact he had on me as a child - more deeply than I had before. Eddie was a gentle man, unassuming but with a dry and surgical sense of humor. He wasn't the 'alpha male' in the room, directing and carrying the conversation but he could seize the moment better than anyone I know with a powerful statement or his timely humor. I'm sure Eddie had his moments of frustration and anger but I never witnessed those. He had an aura of calm and peace I always admired. The picture above is how I will always remember him.
As a child I remember Eddie driving a red 70s era VW Beetle. He had it for years - drove the wheels off of that car and once he carried a part of a future Space Shuttle (from his work) in its trunk. That alone scored him major cool points in my adolescent book. He was missing the top part of one of his fingers from an accident and he would place it at the opening of his nostril sending us kids into hysterics.
I remember once at a summer family gathering, my grandmother wanted something inexpensive - well under a dollar, from the corner market and was directing one of my cousins to go get it for her. She was clearly committed to the purchase but for some strange reason began to theorize exactly how much it should cost. "I've bought them before for 49 or 59 cents but you may find them costing as much as 70 cents..." My cousin, armed with a dollar bill, clearly enough for the purchase, ready to spring into action, stood there bewildered. Right then, uncle Eddie, sitting in his folding chair clutching a can of beer delivered the punchline. With an animated face he announced, "so if it is 71 cents, don't buy it." The place erupted in laughter.
I'm the product of my upbringing - the sum of the impact and influence all of my family had on me growing up. As a leader I'm the product or sum of countless leaders (and family) whose leadership I have tried hard to emulate. I've used humor effectively in leadership to break the ice in a tense room, put another person at ease or even make sense of something. I've always tried to take the 'gentle man' part of 'an officer and a gentleman' very seriously. "Never let them see you sweat," something which seemed to come naturally to uncle Eddie is something I've worked hard to espouse. I now know, reflecting on Eddie's life, that I tried to emulate his demeanor, impeccable timing, gentle, unassuming nature and his befitting sense of humor. I hope I have measured up. Who is your Uncle Eddie and what impact did he or she have on your leadership? It is an important reflection.
Rest in peace uncle Eddie. Thank you for your example and for your lessons in leadership.
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell