Leadership Thought: A Little Honey Is Sweet to the Soul and Healing to the Bones.

Dear Friends

A number of years ago when I was serving as the athletic director at Calvary Christian Academy, in Fort Lauderdale, I worked with a physical education teacher named Greg Keller. Greg was a physical education teacher who was absolutely loved by his elementary age students.

When teaching physical education, he always carried a bottle of honey with him, and whenever he witnessed one of his students doing something beyond the ordinary, he would stop the activity and recognize that student in front of his peers.

He would ask the one being recognized to hold out a finger. He then would squeeze a drop of honey on the child's finger. It was simply his way of affirming the student for what he had done. Greg’s students eagerly looked forward to this form of encouragement.

Proverbs reminds us that “Words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24). Many of Greg’s students had their souls sweetened and their spirits strengthened by this form of encouragement.

Greg’s method of encouragement was a lesson I will never forget. How important it is to be on the lookout for people doing something special, and then taking time on the spot to affirm the action.

People may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel, for encouraging actions are seldom forgotten.

As we walk through life, let’s be on the lookout for opportunities to honor those whom we see making a difference in people’s lives. Take a moment to recognize them, and where possible, do it in public when others can also join in the recognition.

In leadership circles, this kind of intentional effort is known as “Management by Walking Around,” and leaders who practice it are not only appreciated, but they help create a work environment where productivity is elevated.

Most of the high spots in our lives that we will never forget have come from someone’s encouragement.

The apostle Paul knew the value of encouragement, and that is why he wrote to the Thessalonians, exhorting them to “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Try being more of an encourager and you will make two people happy: yourself and the one you encourage.

Have a great weekend.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. As I learned early on in coaching, “A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but it is miles ahead in results.”