While traveling recently, I needed to request an Uber. While waiting, I ended up catching the eye of a fellow traveller who was also waiting for her Uber. We smiled, and she seemed genuinely enthusiastic about our greeting, which made my heart smile even more toward her.
My phone notified me that my Uber had arrived and I walked to the car. I checked the make and model of the car for security and proceeded to begin to put my bags in the car. The driver got out of the car and as he was finishing getting my luggage into his car, he said, “Lucia”?
I paused – and asked him to repeat himself.
“Lucia?” again.
I then heard myself say MY name, “Tessa”, almost in an effort to see if the names could be easily confused.
In the exact same moment, the driver and I realized we were not meant for each other and I had accidentally attempted to "steal" Lucia’s Uber.
As the driver was pulling my luggage out of his car, I looked up and saw my “friend” from moments ago who was so happy to have someone to smile with – and I immediately realized that SHE was Lucia!
She said out loud, “this one is mine” and I begin to laugh at myself and apologize to her. I told her I agreed and that I had made a mistake. I added, “I even smiled and made friends with you before I tried to steal your ride out from underneath you!”
It struck me how easily this could have gone differently. How often someone can make an innocent mistake that impacts us and we don’t take it in stride like sweet Lucia did. We fail to presume positive intent and quickly get bent out of shape. How quickly she could have become upset with me for "stealing" what was hers, or I could have become upset if she had become mad about my innocent mistake.
When we become Self-Aware Leaders, we work to pause, notice, and be intentional about how we are responding to others. We look for presuming positive intent to avoid unnecessary or negative interpretations of situations.
So, the next time you encounter a misunderstanding or someone else's mistake, ask yourself: How can I presume positive intent and respond with grace? Challenge yourself to pause, notice your reaction, and choose kindness over conflict. Small acts of understanding can make a world of difference.
Ask Yourself:
What would change in your relationships if you paused to assume the best in others?
How can you embrace self-awareness and lead with kindness in future interactions?
Are you ready to become the kind of leader who sees mistakes as opportunities for connection?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
YOU MATTER!