The Ripple Effect

In this video, a family is struggling to pay for their groceries at the checkout counter and is forced to put a birthday cake back because they can’t afford it. A man standing in line behind them commits a random act of kindness to make the family’s day a little more enjoyable.  What will you do if you are the man in the queue?

  

His act of kindness is known as a ripple effect because it was generated by a previous act of kindness that was given to him. Be the ripple in someone else’s life by performing an act of caring.

Enjoy this fabulous example of Heartfelt Leadership and a WOW Factor Workplace in action

Brigadier General Steve RitchieIn this video, Brigadier General Steve Ritchie tells an amazing story of the rescue of Roger Locher, an Air Force pilot who was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972 and managed to evade capture for 22 days before finally making contact with other Air Force pilots.

Not only does this story share a wonderful message about business, communication, and teamwork, it provides a real life example of virtually every key point made in our book The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture, including:

• Take Their Breath Away
• Envision WOW together
• Mentor in the Moment
• High Expectations
• No Excuses
• It Takes Courage, and
• The Time for WOW is Now

Listen for these points as Brigadier General Ritchie tells this story.

Brig. Gen. Ritchie was the only U.S. Air Force Pilot Ace of the Vietnam War. He shot down two MIGs in one encounter and flew 339 combat missions totaling more than 800 flying hours. Ritchie was also one of the most highly decorated pilots of the war, having received the Air Force Cross, four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 25 Air Medals.

Ohio Teenager Cooks, Serves Hundreds of Meals to Officers Working Protests

A young man in Columbus, Ohio, is making sure law enforcement officers feel appreciated while keeping people safe during the George Floyd protests.

Even though 17-year-old Markel Davis could spend his summer break doing whatever he wanted, he chose to make and serve hot meals to police officers and the Ohio National Guard monitoring demonstrations in the area.

So far, Markel has prepped, cooked, wrapped, and delivered hundreds of meals to the officers working such long hours, his mom said in a Facebook post.

(Ed: An example that you don't have to be the CEO to be a leader.  A hearfelt leader.  He has now inspired others to find a way to express kindness to some others in some way.)

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15 Characteristics of a Heartfelt Leader

Katie McBreen
June 17, 2015

Even if you’ve been in the workforce for just a few years, you’ve likely seen leadership at its best — and worst. In my own career, I’ve seen the good, the bad and the downright ugly from myriad bosses and executives. While leadership comes more easily to some than others, that doesn’t mean those skills can’t — and shouldn’t — be learned and fine-tuned.

Reiff was named a “power player” on The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2015.Melissa Reiff, president and COO of The Container Store and a “power player” on The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future, is probably one of those people who was leading her classmates on the playground long before she ever uttered the word “leadership.” Prior to joining The Container Store, Reiff wrote down 15 characteristics for her two young children that make a heartfelt leader and put it in her safety deposit box to share with them when they were older. Two decades later, those tenets are central to the philosophy of the company she runs — a company that has been named 16 times on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

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This CEO made $1.6 million in the stock market, then he gave it all to his employees

Deb Boelkes: "Larry Connor of the Connor Group. Great story. Their two Core Values are "Do the Right Thing" and "People Count" and per Larry Connor, the #1 Key to Success is People. This guy exemplifies all of this."

THIS CEO MADE $1.6 MILLION IN THE STOCK MARKET, THEN HE GAVE IT ALL TO HIS EMPLOYEES

Byron McCauley | Cincinnati Enquirer

So, Rich Guy takes advantage of recent market volatility and makes a few transactions. In eight days, Rich Guy makes $1.6 million, more than the average American will earn in 20 years. Happens every day. Rich Guy gets a little richer. What else is new?

Wait.

Rich Guy, also known as The Connor Group founder and CEO Larry Connor, got to thinking. How could he show appreciation to his people: maintenance workers, property managers, trainers. All have worked through the threat of COVID-19. They are deemed essential. The Connor Group operates higher-end apartments in 14 markets.

So, the company called an all-staff meeting disguised as a pandemic update. Connor spoke. "I started to think about probably our most important core values: Do the right thing and people count. I'm taking the entire $1.6 million and dividing it up among all of you. In my view, this is not a gift. You have earned it," he said.

The moment was recorded.

Some employees wept. Some laughed. Some of them opened their eyes as wide as saucers. Most couldn't believe what they were hearing. “Larry, Larry, thank you so much. Oh my God! It's so appreciated,” said LaKeycha Montague, a regional service trainer in Atlanta. “We believe in leading from the front,” Connor said. “And in trying times, that means more than just talking about the problem. It means taking action.”

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