When Small Is Big: 7 Small Acts That Can Have a Big Impact

As a former landscaper, I still love being outside and working with the plants in my yard as well as in the yards of a few neighbors! One of the fascinating things I see in my landscaping is how some plants are fragile and easily damaged while others, like trees, are strong enough that you can use their wood to build a house. Yet all plants are made from a similar cell structure. The difference is due to something very, very small – the concentration of the cells found in trees is much higher than what is found in other plants. Small things can a make big difference in our leadership as well. Here are 7 small actions that can have an unexpectedly big impact. 

1. Exceeding someone’s expectations.

When I had new windows installed in our home, the sales representative said we would have to touch up around each window with paint or, for a fee, they could cover the bare wood with vinyl trim. I was too cheap to pay for that, so I decided I would paint. But when the installer did the job, he creatively reused the existing trim to cover the exposed wood – no painting or extra cost required and hours of time saved. I told him how much I appreciated what he did, and his response was, “It would look like crap if I left it bare!” He exceeded my expectations which resulted in a 5-star Google review. 

2. Returning a call or email.

At The Center Consulting Group, we recently had an inquiry from a faith-based nonprofit asking us to submit a proposal to help them. Even though we at first declined, they asked us to reconsider, so we submitted a proposal. And… we never heard from them again even after we sent an email to the board member who had made the request! In an era when it has become normative and even acceptable to ignore others, you will pleasantly surprise others when you respond to them in a timely manner. It shows respect, courtesy, and interest. 

3. Providing a word of encouragement.

The book Citizen Outlaw is the fascinating biography of former gang leader William Juneboy Outlaw III who spent decades in twenty different prisons before he came to the realization that change was needed. One person who was particularly influential in his change was a fellow inmate and a high-profile former gang member with a life sentence. This man told William, I will never get out of here – I am in for life. But someday you will get out. You are talented and a leader. You have to do something with your life. At that moment, something shifted for William, and he began the path to redemption and eventually became a community advocate – mentoring young gang members, negotiating truces, and helping to dramatically decrease the homicide rate in his city. That is the power of a word of encouragement.

4. Performing an unplanned act of kindness.

My mom is in her 90s, and she doesn’t use credit cards. One time, she was at the cashier at the grocery store when she discovered she did not bring enough money with her (thanks to inflation). Even though my mom planned on returning a few items to reduce the cost, a young woman behind her insisted on contributing the difference. That unplanned act of kindness proved to be a big encouragement to my mom. Random or planned, an act of kindness can encourage a person on a deep level, and the impact felt can be much bigger than the act itself. 

5. Sending a personal note.

If you ask my family about me, they will tell you I am not a collector of anything. I throw out just about everything, especially items that look like clutter. But I recently rediscovered an old file at the bottom of my desk with 30-40 notes from when I worked as a youth pastor (37 years ago!). They were from kids, parents, and others. Most of mine were handwritten, but texts and emails can be just as impactful. A note of encouragement, sent at the right time, can serve as fuel for someone making it through a difficult day or difficult seasons of life.

6. Giving a gift.

A well-timed gift may be small in its cost or value but can be huge in its meaning to the recipient. When my daughter was in grad school, friends of mine surprised her by sending some money. They knew from the experience of their own children that such a gift would be a well-timed blessing. For almost two and a half years, she was a bit broke financially, and that unexpected gift provided encouragement both emotionally and to her bank account. That is the power of giving.

7. Taking a moment to connect.

Listening is one way we connect with others. Gary Noesner, a former FBI hostage negotiator, said, “Listening is the cheapest concession we can ever make.” Listening does not cost anything, it shows respect, and it helps us learn. A lot of things are competing for our attention – phones, busyness, and other distractions circling in our heads. This is why it is hard to give genuine attention to others. But when we do, they feel valued, and that little act can make a very big difference in their lives. There is a story in the Bible about Jesus meeting a woman (who is never named and was a bit of a social outcast) and having an unscheduled conversation that turned into a divine appointment. This holy encounter ended up not only changing her life, but she went and told everyone in her town about it. All because of a moment of connection.

To learn more about how our coaches can help you grow your leadership capabilities, contact us.

Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.