Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is arguably one of the most memorable speeches in history. Seemingly a simple phrase, the meaning is jam-packed with power. He didn’t lay out a plan for his civil rights movement but instead motivated his followers by explaining the purpose of his actions.
The most inspiring leaders think from the inside out. They connect with their team in such a way where they not only articulate their vision but, through their actions, convert them to true believers. These leaders don’t just tell you what to do, but rather show you why you are doing it. The result is a high performing team driven by passion and motivated by the well-defined path to success.
I am in awe of the steadfast purpose, articulated vision, and committed team that Suuchi Ramesh, our CEO and Founder, has put together. In the last 20 years of my career, I have worked at several companies, affording me a unique perspective on what I deem to be “good” or “bad.” I have never been at a company where I have so fiercely believed in what we are doing and why we are the ones who need to do it.
The impact of this leadership style is the trickle-down effect that infiltrates the rest of the organization and becomes contagious. Teams unite, people help people, and there is no “me” but rather “us.” Simon Sinek once said, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” We recognize what we know, and we don’t know and work with each other to complement our strengths.
The dedication I have seen, especially in light of the pandemic, has only made me want to work harder and motivate those around me more. COVID-19 changed our work environment by forcing us all to stay home, which wasn’t a cultural norm for our company. But because of the
solid team we have built, the lack of shared space hasn’t made a difference. If anything, we felt the need to be more connected to ensure no change in our treasured dynamic. I miss my team, I miss our laughs, and especially miss our connection that genuinely isn’t understood by anyone outside of our company. We are bound by a shared vision of success and pride in our organization and its mission.
Lastly, knowing we are making an impact on the world around us, and doing it with people you truly trust and respect, makes all the difference. Anyone can be financially committed and look for a return. But when you are thinking from the inside out, your reward is in your own continued contribution.
