Just 1%

Spreadsheets (thank you, Excel) fascinate me.  If you change sales by even a half of a percentage point, all of a sudden things look so much better.    Change the number by a full percentage point and things look positively brilliant.  Just 1%.

So that becomes something for us to contemplate.    Sometimes we may feel that what we do doesn't make so much difference - that there may be so much adversity that overwhelms our singular contribution that it really isn't worthwhile.    But, we must be steadfast - what we do, no matter how small of a percentage it may be to the total,  makes a difference.

So, yes, do say "please" and "thank you."

Be genuinely grateful.

Practice both small and big acts of kindness.

Spend an extra minute (or two) and genuinely listen.

Do spend time with people;   coach out of authentic interest and concern.

Be empathetic.

Don't engage in group think;  be inquisitive.   Turn the world around a couple of times and look at it from all angles.

Be generous.

And truthful.

What we do each and every day makes the difference between the world going on just as it is and making it a better place.   And just in case you think the world is so big that 1% doesn't make a difference - contemplate this.   On spreadsheets, the bigger the universal number, the more impact 1% of positivity makes.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.