Comments on: Who Is In Your Drawer?

By: Wil Davies

Wil Davies — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:10:36 +0000

Wow Paul,
strange reading “Who is in your draw”, I did a teambuilding in Manila a few months ago for a cosmetic company, listened to what was going on, then thought!! mmmm! I know someone who may benefit here, my house keeper, I enrolled her and paid her fees. Now, a few months later, she’s turning a small profit and her sales still growing.
My point here is, I really believe in, “Who is in your draw”. Inspiring, humbling, keeps my eyes, and mind open.

By: Victoria Judge

Victoria Judge — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:59:52 +0000

I love your perspective and your colourful prose Paul. It’s always important to remember the endless potential each of us contains within, and to encourage it to grow and be realised.

By: Colin Boyd

Colin Boyd — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:42:46 +0000

Hey Paul,

Great column once again. Love the creativity and inspiration the columns bring. They always leave me feeling more inspired to continue my leadership journey. Thanks for being an inspiration.

By: Sky Hunt

Sky Hunt — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:44:19 +0000

Wow, that is a brilliant contrast.

Thanks for the insight and beautifully written column.

You leave me with wanting to know more!!!

Looking forward to working with you.

By: Helen Treloar

Helen Treloar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:40:49 +0000

Excellent story & message Paul. As a leader, a leadership specialist coach and an employee I can identify with each aspect of this story. Your quote from Ralph Emerson is now printed and blue tacked to my office door.

I look around me at the 40 or so people sitting outside my door who I lead and I am proud to be someone who see’s the precious stone within each. I am passionate about the value within people, and it is my experience (sadly) that so many leaders get in their employees way. People before profit to produce profit is my formula. The riches of leadership evolution and personal development is beyond any financial gain or position title. Here’s to EQ leadership folks.

By: brenden

brenden — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:54:15 +0000

Paul this is brilliant, and so very true. I have been a person in the drawer and leaders like you have helped harness and cause me to see the potential in me. And also now I’m in the position where I have people in my world that have been stuck in those draws, life has caused them to not see their full potential, and I can help them see and realise that they are worth so much more than they realise.
Keep up the great work mate

By: Penny Hunter

Penny Hunter — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:36:32 +0000

Often stones can be a threat to others — I think leaders often know of the hidden potential.

I remember years ago my husband took a position of leadership in an international non profit. There was a serious morale problem. Hidden in the organization he found some incredible talent lying latent because the previous leader viewed them as a threat. Once he began to engage them in the decision making process, evaluated their strengths and placed them in roles where they could thrive he saw exponential growth in the organization — cost savings — increased morale, etc.

You are right on, Paul.

By: Mavis Green

Mavis Green — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:43:24 +0000

This is so encouraging – not only to Leaders but also the “brown and green stones”. As a former stone, I’d say to my fellow “I’m just a stone” believers… if at all possible put yourself in the right drawer somehow! In today’s world, turn on the TV, purchase that book and subscribe to a few amazing twitters! There are leaders who know how to get you on track and will inspire you to greatness. Thank you Paul!

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:09:49 +0000

Try being the stone in the drawer!

As part of my journey have been times when my leader has sen my potential and invested in it and other times when managers have tried to put me in the drawer and forget about me when I know I am capable of so much more.

The leaders who have invested in me have gotten a much better ROI from me as I have reached greater heights than ever before. Those who have ignored me… it’s not just me who has missed out but the organisation and the leader as well.

It takes courage to empower those you lead to shine – they might outshine you one day and unfortunately some managers don’t want to see that happen so they lock the stones in the drawer and throw away the key. What a total waste of great opportunities.

Leaders who find and develop the potential in their followers – now they are true gems!