How well do you really know the people you see on a regular basis? Your neighbors? Your co-workers? Your fellow church-goers? Think about it as you read this story!
I wrote about joining the choir at my local parish in an earlier blog. I witnessed something really cool at choir practice and realized that it was my way of bringing small town with me wherever I am.
A couple of weeks ago, I asked one of my fellow choir members what he does when he is not singing in the choir. He responded that he does handyman work. I mentioned this to one of my friends the next day and she asked if I could give her his info. I passed it along and she hired him for a project.
I told John the following Sunday that I heard he’d be doing some work for my friend. My fellow choir members were listening in and this was the first they had heard about John’s gig as a handyman. We discussed what church my friend (John’s new client) goes to and this made the women standing next to me realize that they live in the same neighborhood. They exchanged numbers and said they look forward to taking walks together.
Taken separately, you might say “no big deal”. What is cool about this to me is that my fellow choir members stand shoulder to shoulder every week for 2 hours, but they have never turned to the person next to them to ask where they live or work. My small town nature is to know about people around me. It’s that spirit that has led to John getting a new client, the rest of the choir knowing who to call the next time they need a handyman, and 2 new walking buddies.
Small Town Leadership Lesson – Get to know those around you. We are strangers among acquaintances. Be the one to make the first move the next time you have a chance to learn more about someone you think you “know”.
When is the last time you’ve gotten to know a stranger?