The other week I was teaching a Leading the Journey webinar.  It takes a lot to prepare and present this course – – but I find that every time I do – the teacher learns as much or more than the students.   Most recently, after the Tuesday webinar disconnected, I found myself tearing through my notes seeking out a single slide.  I wanted to go over it again.  It resonated deeply with me and had application in my life.  It was entitled, “Six Levels of Success”.

The Six Levels of success is something that I had been taught, read again and thought to others.  But on this day it really sunk in with me.  And after giving it much thought, I think I know why.  On that day we were reviewing Coaching for Success.  I had used the example that all good and bad managers in our past workings have something to teach us.  When I read the six levels of success it instantly flooded my memory with the lessons learned in my own life.

The Six Levels of Success

1.       Be Present

2.       Create an atmosphere where work ethics matter

3.       Connect to something bigger than just oneself

4.       Challenge each other

5.       Create a feeling of confidence in the team

6.       Love- encourage- forgive

I was 16 and it was a hot summer at the Hilton in Delaware.  It was my first day of work and that summer I was to work room service and take a summer class at a local university.  I had my uniform fresh out of the bag and was eager to learn.  As I stood in the sweltering kitchen with my trainer I took mental notes.  Step one- pre meal, step two- set up trays, step three- wait for an order so you can learn step three.  It was a quiet beginning to the shift and after a while I got tired.  Without thinking much of it I took a seat on the large steel reach in ice cream cooler.  It was great. The cooler was cold and time seemed to pass more quickly when sitting.  Soon the other room service attendants followed my lead and did the same. While in mid conversation I felt a large hand on my shoulder.  I saw the other room service attendant’s jump to attention.  I turned around.   It was the General Manager.

What happened next has stuck with me to this day.  It was simple sweet and right to the point.  It started with “if you have time to lean, you have time to clean” but ended with a much smarter and passionate room service team.

Success Level #1, the General Manager was present.  He then, with great enthusiasm, explained the importance of room service to the hotels success.

Success Level #3 ‘Connect to something bigger than just oneself.” It was learned during that conversation that our department was one of the top GSS ranked and most senior Hilton room service teams and I was now one of them.

Success Level #5 “Create a feeling of confidence in the team.”  We then were given a challenge; the one who could sell the most room service would get a reward.

Success Level #4 “Challenge each other.”

It has been many years and many room service trays since that day but I still remember that day and that General Manager.  Every day we are given leadership opportunities.  We are put in situations that can put down or inspire.  The Six Levels of Success help us see how to make the path, so others can learn and lead.

Please share your favorite “coach” learning experience.