History – it does not need to be our own to touch us. I was reminded this afternoon of how every ‘touch point” we have with another makes impact.
Each time you answer the phone, respond to an email or wave at a passing colleague in the office hallway, you create a touch point. And from that point a message travels and creates another touch point. Put many of these together and you can create a reflection of who you are and what you are about – a reputation – part of your brand.
As I was cleaning out my office I came across some non-business books and quickly removed them from my “office pile” to transport to a more appropriate place. One book was on diet, foods and health. As I placed it into a new pile, my finger caught on what I assumed to be a bookmark. Upon closer inspection it was hand-made, plastic, and protecting something special – something intimate. My father who was given the book at the hospice where my grandmother spent her last days last year, gave this book to me. I was intrigued.
The child’s handwriting caught my eye and I imagined who might have penned it. What was she like? While I could not know her eye color, hair or skin color I could grasp a sense of who she was: sweet, loving and communicative – well maybe not all those things – but it is certainly possible.
The date was 3/3/1936 and the message said: “Dear daddy. I want to tell how nice you are, and how much I love you. Your little girl. Joan.”
I have no idea who Joan is. I also cannot throw this away. Her impact has lasted 74 years and there is no reason to stop it now. In fact, I believe I will use this bookmark to remind of of a very important concept.
It is so easy to think our actions have very little or lasting affect on others. And yet – they do.
As an aside to this story, I am a Marketing Domain Expert for the well-respected Connect Springboard. At my first panel I met a man who swore he knew my name. Yet I had no recollecting of ever meeting him. After a few minutes if banter he said, “Yes, LaCosta I know that name – Jessi LaCosta, you are a branding expert, right?” It turns out he remembered me from a webinar that Kevin Kermes hosted more than one year ago – where I was his guest. This gentleman did not know I was in San Diego – but what he did know were several points I made on that webinar - and he did know of me. We are scheduled to have coffee soon and he has invited me to be a guest speaker at a high-powered networking group of local Life Science executives. My impact lasted – and thank goodness it was positive – and authentic.
What have you done today that creates a lasting reflection of who you are – how you lead and how you will create a healthy, successful foundation for those you work, play and or live with?
An fascinating concept this. I’m 1 of those men and women whom tend to wait for things to mature prior to taking action but in this case I’m mindful that inaction leads to only failures so I will heed your comments and begin to do anything about it.