Passing the Baton

Debbie excelled in her new role overseeing Leadership Development. The extensive notes she had taken during her time with Jeff became the basis of the leadership curriculum. She used the questions Jeff had given her to design thought-provoking assignments that people could use as they applied the principles of SERVE for themselves.

Debbie’s team not only completed the year without her but ascended from “Worst to First.” They really had created raving fans of both their salespeople and their customers. When Debbie got the news, it was in the form of an invitation from the team to come to a special event to celebrate their achievement.

Debbie showed the invitation to John the moment she got home.

“How does it make you feel that they did this without you?” he asked.

“I feel great about it,” she said with a smile.

“Why?”

“By serving them, I helped position them for success. I feel their victory is, in part, my victory.”

“You also prepared a successor,” John added.

“I sure did. Jill has stepped up and done a wonderful job. I feel terrific about that.”

“Are you and Jill still meeting on a regular basis?”

“Yes, we are. We’ll meet again next week,” Debbie said. “She is now part of our formal mentoring program, and she’s my first mentee.”

If you can find a successor who can carry on after your season of leadership has ended, that’s always the hallmark of a great leader.

“They say that’s the final test of leadership,” said John.

“What’s that?” Debbie asked.

“How your group performs when you’re not around. If you can find a successor who can carry on after your season of leadership has ended, that’s always the hallmark of a great leader. Ultimately, if your people can’t do it without you, you haven’t been successful in raising up other leaders.”

Remembering what Jeff had said about Jesus and how his disciples had continued to carry his message, Debbie took John’s comments as a real compliment.

“Thanks for the support,” she said. “I hadn’t considered that aspect of leadership before. I thought I was just lucky to have Jill there to step up when I left.”

“You may have been lucky. But you also did many things to help Jill and her people win without you.”

“Thanks.” Debbie gave her husband a hug. “I had a great cheering squad.”

A few days later, it was time for the celebration. The word was out about the dramatic performance turnaround of Jill’s corporate client services department. Everyone was ready to party. The party room was filled with food, balloons, drink, and VIPs—including Debbie’s former boss, Tom, and the company president, Jeff.

Jill stood before the crowd and clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I know you’re all eyeing the great food, but I want to say just a couple of things to the team before we dig in. First, congratulations on accomplishing such a great feat— and something this team will never do again. Never again will we go from ‘Worst to First.’ We won’t have to!”

The room filled with spontaneous applause.

Jill continued, “Second, the reason this happened is because you all did an outstanding job. That really is the bottom line! You lived our core values to the max. You were there for our salespeople and took care of the customers, you served each other, you were great stewards of what we were given to work with, you were creative—very creative—but let’s not go into that.” People around the room began to laugh at what was obviously an inside joke. “Based on what I can see, next year will be even better.”

Again, the crowd applauded.

“Finally, though, we all know that none of this would have been possible without the help, devotion, and unwavering faith of one very special person—Debbie Brewster.”

With that, everyone gave Debbie a standing ovation. This was more than she was prepared for. Tears welled up in her eyes as Jill urged her to come forward.

Debbie made her way to the front of the room as Jill held up a gold-embossed plaque.

“On behalf of the entire team, it is my joy and honor to present you with this token of our appreciation for your outstanding leadership.”

Through tear-filled eyes Debbie read the words inscribed on the plaque: