The Waving Girl
Last week I was in Savannah, Georgia for a conference. Despite the heat and humidity, I joined the pre-conference run, which stopped at several historical landmarks around town. One of those stops caught my attention and struck a chord with me.
The Waving Girl statue sits along the Savannah River as a memorial to Florence Martus. Her brother was a lighthouse keeper, and Florence made it her mission to welcome ships entering the harbor by waving a white cloth from the shoreline. Legend has it she did this day and night for 44 years, never really knowing whether her gesture made a difference.
Now that's commitment!
Thousands of ships. Thousands of sailors. No social media. No applause. No recognition. Just a simple act of kindness repeated over and over again.
The Waving Girl statue in Savannah, GA honoring Florence Martus
When Florence passed away in 1943, ships in the harbor lowered their flags to half-staff in her honor. Years later, the city erected a 38-foot bronze statue overlooking the river so her legacy of welcoming others would not be forgotten.
As I stood there, I couldn't help but think about leadership.
I think we often overestimate the importance of the big moments and underestimate the small ones. Yet it's those small, consistent moments that shape how people experience our leadership and, ultimately, our culture.
Greeting employees by name. Introducing yourself to a new team member. Checking in after a hard day. Saying "thank you." Looking up from your computer when someone walks into your office. None of those things are difficult. None of them take much time. But over weeks, months, and years, they communicate something powerful: You matter. I'm glad you're here.
Those are the moments that make people feel like they belong. And I believe belonging often starts with a welcome.
Florence Martus wasn't remembered because of one extraordinary act. She was remembered because she did one ordinary thing with extraordinary consistency.
As leaders, we may never know the full impact of the small moments. But that doesn't make them any less important.
So this week, I encourage you to ask yourself: How can I make one more person feel welcome today?
