OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Leadership Isn’t About Having the Answers
It is about having the kind of character that allows others to trust in you
I was exhausted. It was the middle of a recent 17-day trip that had been criss-crossing the country — New York, then to San Francisco, then onto Boston — before finally heading home to Boulder. I’d made it to my flight with plenty of time and, after boarding, made my way to my seat. I settled in — unpacking my laptop, my book, headphones, charging cable — everything I needed to ease into the flight and while away the next five-and-a-half hours.
I suddenly felt his presence. He had a slightly disoriented sense about him and it annoyed me mildly when he shoved his bag in “my” overhead spot and brushed past me to his seat. Happily harrumphing to myself about “newbie” travelers, I barely glanced at him. Both of us settled in, I flipped open my laptop to watch a movie when a hand was thrust in front of my screen. “I’m John Williams,” he said, “Happy to meet you.”
Startled and slightly suspicious, I looked up and into his eyes. And then I saw him, saw him as the person that he is. The first thing I noticed was his age… he was clearly in his eighties. More, though, I noticed that his eyes were rimmed red. It struck me; he’s been crying.
