Volume XXII, Number 42 (Issue 1098) | October 14, 2024
It’s the Impact
This past week I was privileged to be in the audience when Dr. Renu Khator, President and Chancellor of the University of Houston, delivered her annual State of the University address. Like so many other “State of…” addresses leaders give, it was packed with a variety of superlatives about all that has been accomplished in the past year. In UH’s case there were improvements in program rankings, funding milestones achieved, growth in research grants, record enrollment numbers, and several other noteworthy accomplishments. As an alum, it was gratifying to hear all that has been achieved. It was no less exciting to learn about Dr. Khator’s vision for UH’s future. Just three years shy of the university’s centennial, there is much to look forward to.
But that was not my key takeaway. At approximately the two-thirds mark Dr. Khator said something that gave me pause. It went something like this: “while I like to talk about the numbers and numbers certainly help keep us focused on our goals, what matters most is our impact.” That statement hit home. Perhaps because it mirrors the work we do assisting clients with their strategic planning. In those engagements we strive to help our clients create a variety of key metrics they can track along the way. Yet the real goal is to help the client articulate and live into their mission and values. The same is true whether the assignment is to establish an effective corporate culture or develop layers of leadership. In every aspect, the central goal is to help our clients walk the talk. That is because potential that is unrealized is of little value to anyone.
Reflecting on a recent Musings where the topic was stewardship and what we do with the gifts that are entrusted to us, do you ever pause to think about the impact you have on those around you? Likewise, do you ever reflect on the impact others have had on you? What paths have you traveled because someone nudged you in a particular direction? Or, when your path crossed someone else’s, what impact did you have on their story?
To the extent your experience resembles mine, you may not have a full sense of the impact your words and deeds (your personal example) have had on others. Feedback of that sort seldom comes our way it seems – at least while we are alive to hear it. However, though we may not always hear how we have helped to shape others, when we are acting in the right ways and for the right reasons, we should not need medals, plaques, or accolades.
That said, while we may not need positive reinforcement, it does not relieve us of the duty to let others know how they have benefitted us in some significant way. Taking time to acknowledge others, particularly the mentors who have helped to shape us, the strangers, service providers, teammates, or friends who have done something special without any expectation of something in return takes so little effort on our part, yet it is so meaningful. So, let me ask you, what are you going to do that will impact someone in a meaningful way today?
Soli Deo Gloria
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:11
J. Keith Hughey
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
Transforming Potential into Unmatched Performance
Copyright 2024 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Recent issues of Musings may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com. Your comments are always welcome.