The Lollipop Moment

Oftentimes, leadership is seen as something extravagant, bold, and set aside for a specific group of people. The thought of leadership is viewed as something beyond our reach and something we must come to deserve. This mindset, however, causes us to overlook the truth- that leadership should be approached as an everyday practice making effort to improve other’s lives. In his TED talk, Everyday Leadership, Drew Dudley explains how small actions we take on a daily basis can change someone’s day or even future.  

Dudley gives an example of a young woman visiting her college campus for the first time, nervous and unsure. The idea of moving away from home was overwhelming and she had her mind set on leaving. Yet in her moment of doubt, Dudley, who worked for the university, approached her with a lollipop and a corny joke. Four years later, the girl found him and told him that lollipop moment was her turning point—the moment she decided she was where she was meant to be. The action that had the biggest impact on her life was something simple and uncomplicated.    

We can change the trajectory of someone’s life by taking the action of everyday leadership. If we continue to see leadership as something elaborate and someone else’s responsibility, we miss the moment to be a catalyst for change. Each one of us has an opportunity to be uniquely powerful in shaping someone else’s life. We must start to value the small efforts we can do every day to lead, influence, and transform. If someone has been responsible for a lollipop moment in your life, go tell them thank you! 

Watch Drew Dudley’s full TED talk here: Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership | TED Talk 

–Grace McHenry, Learning and Leadership Development Intern 

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