As the holidays approached this year, just like many other people I sent out a holiday email to leaders from my organization nationwide. I think at least 200 people received this email. When I crafted my holiday message, I thought carefully about what I would say to everyone. What I really wanted to offer everyone was a message that was authentic, meaningful and powerful to each and everyone of them. A gift of some sort. But how could I possibly send such a profound email?
So I thought about what was meaningful to me, and it occurred to me that it was the desire to have life-balance. While I love my work and it is incredibly rewarding and important to me, what truly adds meaning and purpose to my life are all of the other activities and interactions that I engage in regularly. So I selected three watercolor holiday cards that I hand panted and attached photos of them to the email (see them below). I also sent the following message: “my gift to your are these paintings, and your gift to me can be to engage more in meaningful activities to put your life in balance”.
The response was one that I never expected. I received back more than 100 responses, even though I did not ask for any form of response. Most of them shared stories and photos of how they engage in meaningful occupations, and how my paintings inspired them to find the time to do the things they enjoy doing. Many of them said that if I could find the time, then so could they and all to often they were using their lack of time or energy as excuses for not engaging in activities that are fun and meaningful to them.
One story was especially touching to me. There was a request from one email recipient who wanted to purchase my original Hanukkah card panting that included the Star of David and menorah. They wanted to give it to someone that had worked with me in the past and had great admiration for me, and was struggling emotionally with the conflict in Israel, in October 2023. They felt the card painted by me would bring them peace and hope.
What was especially exciting was that I truly felt that I had struck a nerve with many people. Not so much because I caused them to think about their life-balance and meaningful occupations, but that I cared. You see the messages you send via your words and your behaviors are what drives how people think of you and what you value. So many of the return messages I received made me feel that they knew I cared about them and their families, that I valued their choice to work for our organization, and I respected their need to engage in meaningful activities outside of the workplace.
I learned a lot by this experience. My original goal for sending the email was to send a powerful holiday message to everyone, but the actual outcome was so much more that I could have expected. I got a life-lesson on the importance of just acknowledging, caring for, and respecting others. The return messages were such an unexpected holiday gift for me.
I feel that leaders are constantly on a stage of sorts, always being watched and judged. This judgement can impact the trust and respect of those we work with. We must be mindful of the things we say and write, and our behaviors. People judge you on what you do and how you act, so be authentic and let the things you value shine through. Happy holidays!