In the past week I visited two different local locations of the same franchise restaurant chain and had two very different experiences. I also happened to visit at approximately the same time of day, on different days. At the first, I was barely greeted. The cashier looked up after the preceding customer and simply said, “What are you having?” I replied, “Good morning,” hoping to shift the tone a bit. But for the next 30 seconds, it was clear. She either was not having a good morning, or she was in a place she did not want to be.
A few days later, I had the opposite experience. As soon as I walked in, someone from across the room greeted me with, “Good morning! I will be right with you!” The interaction that followed was upbeat, engaging, and positive. Same type of transaction. Completely different experience.
Same situation. Different approach.
While this was a small exchange, it shines a light on something bigger. How we show up matters. We all have moments we walk into with low energy or hesitation:
- A meeting we are not excited about
- A conversation we have been putting off
- A day where we are just not feeling it
But what if the experience is not defined by the situation, but by our approach to it?
The leadership shift
What if, before walking in, you made a different decision?
- To bring energy
- To bring optimism
- To be fully present
Because the truth is, the way you show up directly impacts:
- How you think
- How you act
- How others respond to you
Leadership is not just about what you do. It is how you show up for others. You saw it in a 30 second interaction. One person went through the motions. The other created an experience. Same job. Same time of day. Completely different impact.
Be the light
As leaders, we carry more influence than we often realize. The energy you bring into a room is like a light. It can lift people up or it can dim the environment around you. People feel it. Your team feels it. Your customers feel it. Whether you intend to or not, you are setting the tone. So the question becomes: Are you bringing light into the moments that need it most?
A simple challenge
Take a look at your current situations. At work. At home. In your leadership. Ask yourself:
- Where, right now, could you bring more energy, more optimism, more presence?
- And what is it costing you not to?
- Who do you need to be in that moment?
Because awareness leads to ownership. Ownership leads to change. There is no failure, only wins and lessons. Wins fuel progress. Lessons fuel growth.
Call to action
Pick one moment today where you would normally show up on autopilot. And instead:
- Be intentional
- Bring the energy
- Be the light
Then pay attention to what changes. Not just in the outcome. But in the people around you. And in yourself.
If you want to go deeper, this is the kind of work I do with leaders and teams every day. Building intentional habits that shape culture, performance, and results. Always open to connect and share ideas.