Patience my friend, patience!

I am sitting in Melbourne airport, have been for quite some time. Boarded a un-otherwise-unnamed Australian airline and sat on a tarmac for an hour, only to be ushered off sometime later due to a mechanical fault where hydraulic fluid was leaking into the tarmac from the plane. Knowing how little I actually do know about all things mechanical, I kind of knew that hydraulic fluid was important... for braking I think!


I had a quite chuckle to myself and prepared my belongings to leave the plane and head for some refreshments. These things happen and I would much rather be late and on a plane that could brake and stop at the other end, than something quite the opposite. What amazed me though was the reaction of some of the other passengers. Sure, people may have connecting flights and this may spoil the first day of a holiday for others; but can they do anything about it or control it? No.

With this thought in mind, I asked the guy in front on me lining up for a coffee once we disembarked if he was on the same flight. His response was a grunt, a few expletives, a laugh and a resounding “yes I am on that damn flight, wish I wasn’t though. Damn pilots. Damn airline”

Hmmm. Really? The pilots are to blame? The airline is to blame. Sure, OK, the airline may take some of the brunt, but surely doing the right thing by keeping people safe was much more important? There are people in this world who are always in a hurry to get somewhere and who always seem to have an issue with those who aren’t. I started to wonder where this comes from. Is it because they simply can’t control the other person or the situation, therefore resulting in a rant and rave about what they otherwise wished? Is it because they are so unhappy with the present that they can’t wait to move out of it and into the future? Or is it because they haven’t stopped lately to really take in the NOW and be totally present with what they have in life? Possible option could be D, all of the above.

I myself used to be someone who was always in a rush to get somewhere. It landed me with nothing more than a really nice dose of anxiety topped off with a side serve of panic. These days, I am still very focussed and know what I want and I have goals.... to those on the outside looking in, I may seem rushed at times. The difference is it is now balanced with purpose and an ability to stop and take in the moment.

As a leader, I am conscious of how this is at work. I may have a ton of things on, but if someone needs me, I have the ability to stop what I am doing, be present in the moment for them and make them feel as if they are the most important thing in the world right now. And quite frankly, they are. Without people in our teams and businesses that feel supported and nurtured, what do we have left?

The next time your employees need you, stop in that moment and really be there for them. Cast aside the external distractions if you are able to and just be present. Without saying that you are doing it, they will feel the difference. That’s intention and genuineness speaking to you. If you have a true intention to be present and it is done with the best interest of the other person (genuinely) then what I often find is that it’s not what we do, but how we do it and how we are being perceived in that moment that counts.

Have you ever received service from someone, maybe a cafe or shop assistant? On the outside, they WERE ALL SMILES AND ‘CAN I HELP YOU?” moments but really what you felt was boredom, frustration, resentment or something similar? Wonder if you’ll ever go back to them next time you need the same item?

Your employees are your best asset for your business. Treat them with the same respect and loyalty that you would a near and dear family member and you will get the same in return.....always.

Love to hear your thoughts on this one.