“Imagine a world where information can be trusted… Society starts to fray. All we can turn to are the people we care about. But what if those people weren’t who we thought they were? What if the ones closest to us, the ones we trusted our whole lives, were someone else entirely?” – Opening monologue from Secret Invasion Episode One
Secret Invasion
This morning I had the privilege of watching the first installment of the Disney+ series Secret Invasion. It reminded me of previous Marvel films like Captain America: Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. There was suspense, intrigue, action, chaos, and high-risk stakes where lives were at risk. Humor and social agendas were non-existent.
To give you a brief synopsis, Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, has uncovered a plot where a group of renegade Skrulls wish to gain control of Earth. Skrulls are shape-shifting aliens who have the ability to change their appearance to look like anyone. Therefore, they have infiltrated the highest positions of power and are creating absolute chaos and mayhem. Fury then attempts to thwart their plans. Spoiler, quite unsuccessfully in the first episode.
Here is the leadership lesson, we often never know who is really around us. We may have people in our lives and organization who have great potential, unique giftedness, skills, talents, and abilities that we never take advantage of and utilize.
The following is an excerpt from my book 2021 The Year In Leadership: The Stories of Faith, Athletics, and Business Which Inspired Us All. These two stories give vivid examples of missed leadership opportunities because of how we dismiss people or take them for granted.
If you do not have 2021 The Year In Leadership: The Stories of Faith, Athletics, and Business Which Inspired Us All as part of your leadership library, you can correct this problem today by clicking HERE. Amazon currently has copies available for great prices! Now, onto the stories:
A Volunteer Referee
In 2013, a kids indoor soccer tournament was being held in Rockville Centre, New York. In one of the matches, the tournament’s organizers discovered they were a referee short. The organizer went to the parents and asked if anyone knew the rules well enough to help out.
An unassuming man volunteered to step in.
As the match progressed, the man went beyond the boundaries of a typical referee. He would periodically stop the game and offer both teams coaching on the importance of proper positioning. In stereotypical fashion, the insufferable parents grew quite frustrated and began to harass the volunteer referee. “Come on! Let them play!” the parents were yelling.
The unassuming referee who just wanted to add value turned out to be Pep Guardiola. At that time, Guardiola had already won two Champions League titles for Barcelona and was one of the most decorated managers and players in the history of global soccer.
The kids who were playing that day received instruction from the same man who coached Lionel Messi. But their parents had no idea who was in their midst and were complaining about his pace of play.
“Ridiculous!!! Foolish!!! Ignorant!!! Complete lack of awareness! How could they miss Pep Guardioa right before their very own eyes?” you say. Before we get too tough on those parents, let me tell you another story.
A Street Musician
Joshua Bell is arguably the world’s most-accomplished violinist. He reportedly makes $1,000 per minute while performing on stage.
The Washington Post had a great idea for an impromptu concert. They decided to have Bell perform in one of the area’s busiest locations – the DC Metro corridor. DC Metro averaged more than 1,000 people passing through per hour. Those at newspaper wanted to know how many of these people would stop and enjoy the performance of this true artist.
So how many do you think stopped and listened to Bell? 800 (80%)? 700? 600? How about 30% of the people? At least 100 right? Surely a minimum of 10% of passers-by would stop for just a single minute and enjoy one of the world’s greatest artisans. That’s $1,000 of value provided absolutely free. What a gift and privilege, right?
Would you believe only seven people stopped to hear Joshua Bell!!! 993 people on average walked past arguably the world’s best violinist without even a passing glance. They had no idea who was in their midst. How could they miss what a privilege this was?
The Leadership Lessons
The following are four leadership lessons we learn from these stories:
Individual Greatness Is Easy For Leaders To Miss
Greatness is inherent in everyone but it’s not easy to spot. You likely already have incredible talent and potential within your organization. It’s your job as a leader to discover it in your people and bring it to the surface.
Few People Will Ever Lead With Their Resume
Truly talented people don’t brag about it. They don’t have to. That receptionist in your office has incredible talent and skills if you just stop and ask them what they can do to help the organization. The person in the cubicle may be the most insightful person in your organization. And the unassuming gentlemen who just wants to add value may be one of the best in the world at what he does. And finally, the street musician you walk by may just be world class. But you will never know unless you take ta moment to ask them about their background and what they can bring to the organization.
How People Are Positioned Matters
In 1992, Steven Segal starred in the movie Under Seige. He played the role of Casey Ryback, a simple cook on a battleship. But what we learn about Ryback when domestic terrorists take over the ship was he was actually a Navy S.E.A.L. trained in explosives, combat, and weaponry. Ryback had been demoted for striking an officer. The ship’s crew had no idea who he really was. Ryback had been presented to them as a cook. Guardiola was presented to the parents and players as a volunteer referee. Bell was presented to the passers-by as your everyday street musician. How people are positioned matters.
The Folly Of Our Arrogance
When we arrogantly label people and pre-determine the level of value they can bring, we set ourselves up for embarrassment and failure.
These truths are pregnant with implications. When we pass by the people at our office, workplace, church, or on the street, are we willing to stop and truly see the value those in our midst can bring? Or are we going to have to deal with disappointment of missed opportunity?
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