Our Story: Leading Made Simple

This is the origin of Random Acts of Leadership and the “Leading Made Simple” method. It was born from a single act of kindness and a lifelong belief that small actions create real leadership—everyday leadership that anyone can practice.

If I asked you to commit an act of kindness today, would you know what to do?

You would, wouldn’t you?

In going through your day with that intention, you would likely encounter many opportunities to be kind in word and deed.

Everyday Leadership: How the Idea Emerged

It started with this question: What if leading could be that simple?

That is the inquiry I began in June of 2006 when my dad, Jim Ernst, passed away.  You see, he had left a newspaper clipping for us to find called “To Remember Me” by Robert Noel Test, a piece that has inspired countless reflections on kindness and legacy. The last line reads:

“If by chance you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all that I have asked, I will live forever.”

He had given us the perfect way to remember him, so at his memorial service we asked people to commit an act of kindness in his memory.

How Random Acts of Leadership Began

Over the next few months, I took on the practice of committing random acts of kindness.

What I Observed Got Me Thinking…

• Could committing an act of leadership be as simple as committing an act of kindness?
• What’s the difference between the two?

The Insight That Changed How I See Leadership

I started to consider that perhaps committing an act of kindness is in and of itself an act of leadership.

On many occasions, while my motive was simply to be kind, my actions caused others to behave differently. I even observed them working together toward a common goal.

The common thread that transforms an act of kindness into an act of leadership is this: the commitment to making a difference.

And in committing an act of kindness, I was reminded that the “small stuff” really matters. In other words, everyday leadership is the accumulation of simple, visible actions that invite others to participate and make a difference.

I believe the same is true in leading – it’s the small stuff, the simple actions you take, the words you say to one person at a time every day that make the biggest difference of all.

If you want to be a leader in any given moment, all it takes is a willingness to speak up, step up, or stand up for what matters. That is everyday leadership—simple, repeatable actions that create real impact. It may not always be easy, but it really can be that simple.

Dedication

My father, Jim Ernst, was a leader in everyday life. The world does not know who he is.  He will not be named in any history books. Yet for the people whose lives he touched the history books do not matter.  It was his actions both big and small that did.

He taught me that the purpose of life was to make the biggest difference you could make in whatever you do.

Random Acts of Leadership, in all of its expressions, is dedicated to his memory.  It is my wish that when I close my eyes for the last time that I will be able to honestly say I made the biggest difference I could make.

I thank him for guiding me to explore the many ways we can simplify leadership by building the essential bridges between the theory of leadership and leadership in action.

I invite and welcome your comments, questions and feedback.  If you would like to reach me directly please e-mail Susan at RandomActsofleadership dot com.

Copyright: luchschen / 123RF Stock Photo