The Leadership Moment That Stuck with Me

The Leadership Moment That Stuck with Me

By Sophia Phoenix

Leadership is a delicate dance between guidance and growth, a balance of expectations and empathy, and, if you’re lucky, a bit of humor along the way.  Sometimes, the most impactful lessons come not from a strategic initiative but from the simplest, most unexpected moments.

Let me share a story that still makes me smile and reminds me why we lead.

The Sticky Note Surprise

A few years ago, my team was deep in the trenches of a massive project with a looming deadline.  Stress was high, coffee was flowing, and the office had that intense buzz of urgency.

One afternoon, I noticed something unusual on my office door: a single yellow sticky note. It read, in bold Sharpie letters:

“You’ve got this. But if you don’t, at least you’re funny.”

I laughed so hard I nearly spilled my coffee (a common hazard in my leadership journey).

Curious, I looked around to see if anyone would confess.  Finally, one of my team members sheepishly admitted they’d put it there, saying, “Sophia, you always check on us and make sure we’re okay.  I just thought you might need someone to check on you too.”

That sticky note hit me harder than any quarterly performance review ever could.  Here was a reminder that as leaders, we aren’t invincible.  In fact, our humanity, our openness, our quirks, and yes, even our stress, is what connects us to our teams.

The Takeaway

I kept that sticky note on my desk for months.  Why?  Because it taught me a few key lessons:

Your Team Notices You: Whether it’s how you handle a crisis or how you laugh at a bad pun in the break room, your presence (and yes, your stress) sets the tone.

Support Goes Both Ways: Leadership isn’t a one-way street.  Sometimes, the best leaders are those who accept support and encouragement from their team.

Laughter Heals: Humor is a bridge that brings us closer. It reminds us that even in high-stakes moments, we’re all human.

After that, I started a tradition: Every Friday, I’d leave a sticky note of encouragement on someone’s desk.  Some were funny, some serious, but all had the same message, “I see you, I appreciate you, and we’re in this together.”

So, to all the managers and leaders out there: Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to lead.  Sometimes, all it takes is a little laughter, a sticky note, and the courage to be human.

What’s a leadership moment that stuck with you?  Share your story, I’d love to hear it.

#Leadership #Teamwork #HeartAndHumor #SophiaPhoenix #StickyNoteStories

“Grow the conversation—your comments are the roots!”