We often expect great work but rarely take the time to acknowledge it. A simple, sincere compliment can change someone’s entire day—yet praise is often overlooked. Here’s how a quick moment of recognition at a busy Starbucks reminded me why instant appreciation is a leadership superpower.

Leadership is often measured by performance metrics and business outcomes, but its true impact is revealed in the quiet moments at home. The Dinner Table Test asks a simple yet profound question: When your employees go home at the end of the day, what do they say about you as a leader?

Do they share stories of inspiration, respect, and support? Or do they vent about stress, frustration, and lack of appreciation? Leadership does not stop at the workplace—it follows people home, influencing their relationships, well-being, and engagement.

A great leader understands that their legacy is not just written in quarterly reports but in the conversations happening around dinner tables every night.

Many leaders overthink decisions, treating every choice as if it’s irreversible. But Jeff Bezos’ Two-Way Door Framework offers a smarter approach: some decisions are one-way doors (permanent and high-stakes), while others are two-way doors (reversible and low-risk). The problem? Too often, we hesitate on choices that could simply be tested and adjusted.

Understanding this distinction helps leaders move faster, adapt quickly, and avoid unnecessary delays. Is your decision truly a one-way door, or are you just overthinking it?

Sometimes, leadership finds us before we even realize we’re ready. This past week, I witnessed it firsthand as my wife, Nelli, stepped into a leadership role at a business conference—not by seeking it, but by naturally guiding a conversation, sharing insights, and empowering others.

True leadership isn’t about authority or titles; it’s about stepping forward, contributing, and creating space for others to do the same. Watching Nelli embrace this moment reinforced a powerful lesson: when we surround ourselves with the right people, opportunities to lead become clear.

Leadership isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about contribution. On a recent cruise, I met Mr. Washy Washy, a crew member whose simple job of reminding guests to wash their hands became something extraordinary. Through song and dance, he turned a routine task into a ship-wide phenomenon, creating joy while likely preventing illness.

It was a powerful reminder that the smallest roles can have the biggest impact and that true leadership is about recognizing the value in every team member.

Who’s your Mr. Washy Washy? Who has made an impact in your life—not because of their title, but because of how they showed up?