After spending eleven amazing days in Toronto filled with awesome meetings, a great Impact leadership retreat, and a good party or two, there was one moment that really stood out during the trip.

On the second to last day, Oleg Kostour, an aspiring architect (link to his portfolio) who is the creative mind behind Impact’s I Am My Ambition campaign asked to meet me for coffee.  I thought nothing more of his request, but when we met, he presented me with a gift: an expensive bottle of Champagne, that was a gift from all of the leaders at Impact’s Leadership Retreat.  Behind the gift was a message:

From what I have seen so far, you have put an incredible trust in your team.  Last weekend, I’m sure everyone felt empowered through what you did, and if there’s anything we can give back, it’s the same thing.  This gift, it’s not only from me, but from every one at the retreat – and is the best way we know how to thank you, inspire you, and hold you to the same standard that you hold yourself – as a united team. Consider this our formal welcoming of you as our leader.”

I am grateful to my team for presenting me with a powerful message of trust and accountability for 2010.  Although I have not yet proven myself as a leader for the organization, this gift was certainly a message to get the job done.  Thank you to all of you for putting your trust in me.  I promise to be accountable in delivering on all of my promises.  You have demonstrated an incredible gesture that I haven’t seen in other organizations. Together, 2010 will be a year of Gratitude, Trust, and Accountability between all of the leaders of our organization.  And I can’t wait for all of us to drink that champagne in a year’s time.

The Champagne sits as a reminder next to my desk