I’m out of town this week so please enjoy this message from our Venue Relationship Manager at Footers, Erin Hehn!

One of the best icebreaker questions I’ve been asked was ‘how would you describe your job to a 5-year-old?’. My response came effortlessly because as our Venue Relationship Manager at Footers, I get to be like Santa Claus - delivering gifts and making sure we stay on the nice list year-round. But with the time I’ve spent being intentional in this role, it had me wondering, can you be a thoughtful leader and an impactful leader simultaneously? It’s been marinating for a while now and recently I was able to participate in our local chamber’s Leadership Bootcamp to help me get to the bottom of it.

Merriam-Webster defines thoughtful as “given to or chosen or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and wants of others”. I’ve personally always thought of being thoughtful as paying attention to details and then going the extra mile. Providing the unexpected but in the best way by sending a surprise amenity to the hotel room on a birthday, delivering a meal to a friend that just had surgery, or sending a card via snail mail to someone just because. I love both the challenge, and the feeling of accomplishment. You could even call it a passion of mine. Like the iconic Betty White said, “If you live without passion, you can go through life without any footprints.”  Thoughtful gestures for those that are near and dear to my heart has always brought me joy.

Impactful is translated as having a noticeable impression. The footprints of our memories, if you will, and the results of the thoughtful tokens mentioned above. We recently rolled out a new initiative to bring cold drinks and fun snacks to event walkthroughs on these hot summer days. The beverage cans were in our favorite teal color, snacks came sweet and salty, easy to carry and branded with our logo, a gift that keeps on giving. While it had genuine thought put into the effort, it has taken longer than anticipated to make an impact. I know we’ll get there but, in the meantime, it’s been a valuable lesson that the phrase ‘it’s the thought that counts’ isn’t enough. Implementation and follow through are crucial. And sometimes, the impact of the thought can be delayed but it doesn’t make it a thief of joy.

 There was a final project through the Bootcamp to create our Leadership statement. After careful deliberation and real time management situations, my personal mission now sounds something like this: “To be a thoughtful and impactful leader that makes decisions with compassion, empathy and approachability for all.”

So, when it comes to thoughtful vs. impactful, as it turns out you can be both – you just have to be you. Unless you can be the big jolly guy in red that thoroughly enjoys treats from our Pastry Department every December. Then be some of that magic, but make it last all year long.

HEART LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

August 15th-17th, 2022

Back again by popular demand, we are creating one last opportunity in 2022 for those who missed this unforgettable
3-day experience to find community, strength,
and Heart Leadership skills!