I know, a few of you may remember this title as a song by the 1990’s group, the Kottonmouth Kings, who are describing stoned friends passing around a marijuana joint. For sure, that’s not at all related to this post. Over the last days, I’ve been highlighting six life proverbs from “The Janitor,” a short impactful book by Todd Hopkins and Ray Hilbert.
Bob (the Janitor) shares with Roger (the CEO) that a key to successful leadership is to pass on what you have learned. The best way to learn is to teach. The best way to empower is to give away. Benjamin Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
Roger discovered that when he passed on what he learned from Bob to his neighbor Andrew, a budding entrepreneur, he became aware that he rose above his own problems and actually discovered new answers to his own questions.
I’ve learned in my leadership journey that passing it around is a source of great joy. Even more than getting credit for what I do, seeing those I’ve mentored get acknowledged in their success is deeply gratifying. Pass it on. Give it away. Invest in others. It’s the most rewarding kind of leadership.
QUESTION: What is the greatest joy you’ve had in passing “it” around? Please share in the comment section below.
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