If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

Especially for me; with over 46 Years of work experience behind me, I have had many moments which really stretched me to my limits and beyond. But the only thing that stood out at all times was "Teamwork" No wonder they say TEAM = Together + Everyone + Achieves + More. But more than that, one quote stuck on with me since I had read it almost 4 decades ago and it has stayed with me forever. I applied this same quote in one of the most grueling times; and that experience will lie etched in my mind forever. That quote is "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." Join me in that journey!

The memory of that incident, is so powerful that it always make me feel proud and I cannot hold myself back from citing that one particular incident that may literally personify the essence of the above quote and also add to the benefits of working towards shared goals with teamwork. This experience dates way back to the early eighties for me when; while working in a Precision Investment Castings Factory in Pune. I was challenged with manufacturing and successfully completing this particular delivery schedule to none other than the reputed "Spirax Marshall" now referred to as Forbes Marshall, a leading provider of steam and energy efficiency solutions based in Kasarwadi, Pune.

I was in charge of the whole unit at that time; and I had me a team of only 3 people at hand including myself; as that particular week was a week lined up with festivals. Add to that the weekly off connected with it and it was holiday time for all workers for 4 days. But as I said earlier I always believed that there should be no compromise on focus or work and goal at hand, and only sheer team work and camaraderie can work wonders! Keeping the above quote in mind I knew I had to lead from the front. I gathered up my team and we took a pledge to give our best even against all odds, and ensure that the delivery was done on schedule.

At the outset itself I would like to mention, a “Scorching and Painful Highlight” if I may call it, (you will understand why I called that after reading this full specific incident); that it would remain etched in my memory for life. During the process heat-treatment of one of the parts which was called the “Steam Trap” a component which Spirax is famous for was the hero of the incident. The wire which tied the components together snapped and one of the “Steam Traps” dropped of the long iron pipe hanger which is used to draw out castings, from the heat-treatment furnace to be dropped into the quenching oil.

In the fit of urgent enthusiasm that we experienced having reached almost at the last stage of the process, my hand reached out for the red hot casting unconsciously but as a quick reaction. Somehow for a moment I was oblivious to the fact that the casting was scorching red hot. Within second the casting had landed in my palm, searing off hot skin and the smell of burnt skin reaching out to my team members. It was split second action that I let go off the casting, as it dropped into the quenching oil, but not before it has left an impression on my palm with the markings of the embossed letters on the casting. 

On priority, I immediately took preventive medical treatment, and only then did we all realize that it had left the same impression of the shape of the embossed portion on the component with the letters clearly etched into my palm. We all had a big laugh albeit my being in tears with the pain in my palm. But nothing could stop us even then. Taking pain killers and applying antiseptic soothing cream to my palm, and wrapping it in bandage, we gave high five’s to one another and continued to complete the full process and begin our packing for delivery as if nothing had happened.

When the next day lit the sky with rays of success, only then did it dawn on us that it was the early morning of the 4th day. I was running a slight fever; maybe due to the incident of burning and reactions of the medication as my body reacted to the whole incident, but did not give up. I remember clearly that we worked together for 72 hours at a stretch all 3 staying in the factory premises, sleeping there, eating there, and working for lengths of time that defied all reasoning. Come start of day 4 and that early morning all dazed, faces, arms and bodies bruised, literally burnt red due to severe exposure to the high temperatures of the furnaces, we stood strong (though shaking in our knees) and had the full order consignment delivered to Spirax Marshal.

When we somehow reached their Unit for delivery, the Operations Manager was stunned and shocked at seeing our state and without any further delay or discussion accepted the delivery, thankful and grateful that our delivery of the components had just saved them from a rare "out of stock supply line shortage of those components”. As their process was a continuous line process any further delay would have stalled the whole process. As I offered my hand to accept his “Shake Hand” I cringed and then apologetically but proudly showed him my palm; that had embossed trademark emblem of their casting. He was shocked and apologetic that it occurred during our rush to deliver the goods in time, even if it was not their fault. We had to share an ambidextrous shake hand as it was my right hand that was burnt.

They were so impressed with the delivery and quality of casting and on additionally learning about our story of the 72 hour tryst with our destiny, he was touched by our dedication and camaraderie, besides commitment to our responsibility towards our clients. It touched him so much that they offered for us to be escorted in their Company Cars to our Destination. But as we had already had our own delivery van in which we had all come to deliver the goods, we expressed our sincere gratitude and thanksgiving towards their kind gesture and returned home, proud and satisfied.

All those 72 hours of grueling and back breaking work was dissolved with the realization that we had achieved our goals and that too only on sheer dedication, perseverance and teamwork. Not the least to mention that we barely had time to rest on our laurels or even dive into a much needed rest as we had to return to the daily routines of a fresh new start of a week after the holidays.

The whole incident actually once again reminded me of that quote so deeply intertwined with the title of this post. I had read it almost 4 decades ago and had not only imbibed it as a culture and character trait but kept researching about its applications in different fields. It is only because I had applied the essence of that quote in the toughest task I have faced in my life that we could achieve our goal.

I would like to share that quote once again and also explain how important that quote is in life and what are some of the observations I had noted during the process of understanding it. I have always had the habit of analyzing a quote, breaking it down into its core ideas and interpreting it into simpler words to truly grasp its essence. Here is the exegesis of that quote.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." This quote, often attributed to John Quincy Adams, highlights the impact a leader has on their followers. It emphasizes empowerment and the development of others as key characteristics of effective leadership.

Why this quote resonated with me?

Inspiring Others:

True leaders inspire a vision and motivate their followers to strive for more than they thought possible.

Encouraging Learning:

Leaders foster a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering individuals to acquire new knowledge and skills.

Driving Action:

Leaders not only inspire but also encourage their followers to take action and make a difference.

Fostering Growth:

Ultimately, a leader's success is measured by the growth and development of their followers, helping them become their best selves.

This quote encapsulates the essence of impactful leadership, emphasizing the importance of inspiring, empowering, and developing those around you. In fact in afterthought I could immediately connect my above experience with these observations which I had kept collating from searches, articles and posts of others whose own life experiences basically seemed to tell the same story; further authenticating and reiterating my belief in the quote and the outcome of applying it in life!

Let me conclude by saying I Thank you all for your patience and for walking this journey with me, so deeply intertwined with the spirit of today’s quote—as cited above. My hope is that, whenever you need inspiration, you’ll remember, this quote - ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader,’ and bring its meaning into your own life and the lives of those around you." Here’s to more strength, success and growth!