Yesterday on Twitter someone asked “what’s your favorite movie?” I don’t usually respond to many general questions on Twitter, but this happens to be someone whose blog I follow so I responded, “Pay it Forward.” I simply love that movie. That discussion started me thinking about random acts of kindness and how they change not only the world around us, but us as well.

According to a group on Facebook, April 29 is National Pay It Forward Day. What does that really mean? It means simply a time to do something for a stranger somewhere, just do it, as a way of paying it forward. Think about how our world could be different on that day if every single person did that.

Several years ago I saw a show on Oprah about random acts of kindness. It became a thing with me, that I still do today. When I go through a toll booth on a highway, I always pay for the car behind me. It’s just a little something to brighten the day of folks, something done by a total stranger, and something for which nothing is required. While I imagine it made them feel good, it always made me feel awesome. It was just about a little something to make someone’s day where they didn’t even know who did it for them.

Tonight my brother, husband and I attended a concert. As we left the parking lot, we noticed that nobody was allowing any cars to get in the line. We eased out into the line with the help of the parking lot attendant, and joined the long line of cars heading toward the exit and the highway. Along the way there were several cars trying to get out of the parking lots, just waiting for anyone to offer them a break. We decided to do a little experiment. At each entrance, I let at least 2 or 3 cars go in front of me. I imagine there were some folks behind me who weren’t too happy, but those who were allowed to get in the line were sure glad. An interesting thing happened. Each car that was let in then stopped at the next entrance and let someone else in. And on it went. It was pretty fun to watch. Sure, it took a little longer to get to the entrance to the highway, but it was so worth it.

Another idea that is a fun thing to do is to see someone who serves in our military in a restaurant. Get in touch with their server and offer to pay, anonymously, for their meal, with a message that just says “thanks for your service.” Having lived out of the country the last two years, I am so thankful that I now live close to a military base and actually get a chance to do this now and then.

What about your neighbors? See some way you could do a little something to help them out? Don’t ask, just do it. Then watch what happens.

What can you do in a random act of kindness? Will you join me in the next week to find one random act of kindness a day that you can do for someone? I believe after the week, you’ll want to continue. Let’s see how many people we can influence. Enjoy it and I’d love to hear what you did and how it went!

It’s funny how life works sometimes. Last week right after I wrote this post, I came across a great example that related to leadership in some of my reading. I wished I had seen it before that post, so decided this morning it’s worth doing a “part two” to that post, just to share this story with you.

Last week when we talked about what happens when leaders derail is that they sometimes lose sight of their humility. I think it may be fear that causes that, and the puffer fish is a great example of what happens. When a puffer fish is threatened, they swallow huge amounts of water or air, causing them to grow several times their normal size. This allows them, in most instances, to not become prey for another animal. If you take a look at this picture, it also doesn’t make them very pretty. On one of my first visits to Barbados, I bought a puffer fish spine, all blown up, from a street vendor. I was fascinated with how big this little fish had become.

What we need to remember is that being humble is about not boasting or exaggerating our size. We often live in a “fake it till you make it” kind of world, and in reality that’s not authentic leadership. So, I encourage you, don’t become the puffer fish in your leadership style. It may work for the fish, but it’s not only unattractive but usually unsuccessful in leadership.

Leaders have to be enthusiastic about what they are doing. Have you ever known a really enthusiastic leader? They are passionate about the vision they have, and they believe in it with all their heart. I love those kind of leaders, they just seem to create highly motivated teams. In my early days with the professional association I belong to, I met one of the most enthusiastic leaders I have ever known, Brenda Hurley. She is a dynamic leader who inspires you to be involved with whatever she is doing. I remember telling her one time she was like a missionary who was so excited about what she had to share that everyone just wanted to be involved in it. I learned a lot from her and have always been thankful for her leadership and her friendship.

Enthusiasm is contagious. When you are excited about something, it tends to spread to others. We all want to be involved in things that we are passionate about, and finding someone else who is passionate, drives us to be our best.

Enthusiasm must be real.
I’m not talking about the “salesman” type of enthusiasm that tries to get us to buy into an idea or a product. We can spot those a mile away and false enthusiasm tends to make us cringe and want to move far away from whatever that is. It has to be genuine and heartfelt.

What about when you’re just not enthusiastic?
I have had some talks lately with a friend who said “It’s just my day to be ‘blah. Can’t I have one day?” We all have those days when it’s hard to be motivated. Life happens. It becomes hard to stay pumped up all of the time. Still, it’s important that those we lead don’t see those “blah” days all the time. I’m not suggesting that you should never show people you are having a hard time, that’s not realistic. The goal is not to become superhuman. The goal is to be authentic. Even if you’re having a bad day, are you excited about your project? Then be sure to add that!

We are enthusiastic about what we love.
Yes, it really is that simple. Do you love your job? Love the latest project? If you’re a parent, are you enthusiastic about your kids, your family? When we really love what we are doing, it’s pretty easy to be enthusiastic. If we don’t really love something, it’s much harder. For me, the answer has been to always be sure I am doing what I love. I’ve learned to pick and choose what I do so that I don’t invest time and energy into things that don’t make a difference. If I can be involved in something that really makes a difference, it’s easy to be enthused about it.

To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” DO something great today!

What are some examples of leaders who have been so enthusiastic you just wanted to follow them?

This is not an ABC post, but one I felt important to share with you today. I have several blogs that I follow, and this morning, I saw a post with the movie below in it. It is called The Butterfly Circus. I hope you will take the time to watch this. It is 20 minutes long, but well worth the watch.

As leaders, our perception of ourselves and others have a huge impact on the world around us. What were your thoughts as you watched the movie?