The Coffee Line Lesson

James R. Rector
Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal

You can learn a lot about a person in the coffee line. Watch how they treat the barista. The simple exchange shows whether respect flows only upward or in every direction.

Leadership character is revealed in these small moments. A leader who thanks the person serving them, who listens patiently, who smiles instead of rushing, is the same leader who builds trust in the workplace. Courtesy in the ordinary is the training ground for credibility in the extraordinary.

Teams notice how their leaders treat people outside the spotlight. Respect that is consistent, not selective, is the kind that inspires loyalty.

At Home

Families notice too. Children see how parents speak to servers, cashiers, and neighbors. Those moments teach more about values than lectures ever will. The small lessons in respect become the lasting habits of the next generation.

Your question: If your team or family only saw how you act in the coffee line, what would they learn about your leadership?

About the series: The 3-Minute Leader™ is a weekly micro-essay for emerging and promotable executives.