In a pre-Covid, pre-kids era, back when we used to travel, I recall a time when my husband and I got lost in Paris, somewhere between Rue Cler and the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement.
My husband and I are experienced travelers, but I don’t mind telling you we were all turned around. My French is basic high school level and includes being able to count to twenty, buying a kilo of tomatoes and the lyrics to that Lady Marmalade song from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Nevertheless, I approached someone to ask for directions.
Her English was as bad as my French and we laughingly stumbled over our words as she tried to give us directions. I could tell that she was busy and had somewhere to be, power walking in her heels to an important business meeting.
To my surprise, she grabbed my hand, pointed at herself and indicated that she would take us there.
She led us all the way to the end of the Champs de Mars. Two more blocks and we would be at the base of the Eiffel Tower.
It turns out that we’d been almost there, just a couple more turns and we’d have made it.
Whenever I think of that woman and that day, I am reminded of one of my favourite quotes on leadership.
“Great leaders don’t tell you what to do, they show you how it’s done.”
The best leaders, in my experience, are those who know the destination and how to get there, and who commit to walking beside their people.
They’re the leaders who, even in the midst of a busy schedule and mountains of work, take the time to develop you, to open the door to new opportunities and to show you the pathway to greater success in your own career.
Like on our walk to the Eiffel Tower, a great leader will walk beside you, show you the way and then empower you to finish the journey yourself.
As you move through your career journey, it pays to work out if your career is being nurtured by a great leader.