Leading with Lollipops

Leading with Lollipops

 Drew Dudley began his Ted talk by asking how many people in the audience consider themselves to be leaders. Many of them did not raise their hands in response to the question. We're taught that leadership implies absolute power and the ability to achieve things that no one else can. Rather than utilising the title of leader to define ourselves, we usually expect to earn or be given it. He goes on to explain why this viewpoint is incorrect and how leadership is not the same as that concept.

He shares a story about an incident he had with a girl. He narrates the story of a girl who was afraid of going to university and wanted to drop out. She informed her parents as a consequence and decided to wait and see how the first day went. She eventually chose to leave because she didn't enjoy it. Drew approached her when she was about to graduate from college. When he arrived to offer her the lollipop, he gave her a quick glance and told the person next to her to do so. Despite her initial skepticism about the situation, she and the others laughed it off, and she decided to continue her studies at university at that moment. Four years later, she told him the story, and a year and a half later, she invited him to her wedding, along with the youngster he had directed to bring her the lollipop. Drew maintains he has no recall of it, despite the fact that it was a pivotal point in her life. 

Have you ever actually had a Lollipop moment? I myself had many lollipop moments before, but there was this one time where it really affected me. It was in Grade 10 when I first came to this school. I was in a German school before and switching systems was a hard choice for me. Suddenly you just get into a new system, new teachers, new people everything new around you. At first it was very hard for me to get used to the system as I used to take chemistry and math for example in German and all of a sudden I started taking the courses in English. I had no hope to work or do anything but after the first semester of my first year we had the winter break. I went to my parents and talked to them about the situation I had and how hard it is for me to learn the things. My parents then kept encouraging me and telling me if I put in the work and try my hardest it would eventually get easier. My parents also arranged a math and chemistry tutor for me so it can be a little easier. I then put in all my effort in the second semester and I did see progress and I did get good grades at the end. Without the help and encouragement from my parents I wouldn't be where I am right now. They did help me get through a lot. 

To sum everything that has been said so far, a simple sentence, perhaps even a word, could change your entire day from the worst day of your life to the best one. Don't be greedy and complement them; if you believe it's only a word that won't matter in the situation, say it. Words can be far more powerful than you can realize. Tell me about your "lollipop moments" and whether they influenced you positively or negatively.