The title of this blog is inspired by a story that Tim McQueen shared during our Leadership LIVE conversation a few weeks back. After returning to his hometown in New York State, he found himself one night at the local highschool’s winter concert, and was blown away by the amount of talent and passion the students displayed. After noticing the small attendance compared to when he performed as a student, he felt compelled to make a difference. In the interview he explains, “I felt there was no one standing in the gap for these kids.”

This idea of “standing in the gap” he relates back to his grandmother. She taught him that sometimes, “All you need is someone to help get you to that next level.” This lesson of acting as a bridge by standing in the gap that separates a person from a goal is a very powerful one. Due to the kids’ potential, Tim promised them this: “If you put the effort forward, I’ll meet you halfway with the resources.”

This began the journey of the Ill Harmonics, a band made up of young talent in the City of Poughkeepsie. Not long after Ill Harmonics was established, the group was chosen as the 2020 Richard K. Wager Inclusive Champion Award recipient which, as described by the Poughkeepsie Journal, “highlights a local business or group that promotes diversity and inclusiveness.” This recognition honors McQueen’s efforts in creating a voice for these performers, and how he helped to bring them some well-deserved spotlight.

tim McQueen.png — *Self-ego and self-belief are two different things. Believing in yourself means that every breath that you take is intentional, every thought that you have is intentional...*

Tim McQueen during our interview

Our conversation inspired me once again to focus on the contributions that are available for us to make when we see ourselves as able to be of service to others. In communities across the world it is imperative to not only acknowledge the disparities between and within communities across the world - often along racial lines, and always along socioeconomic lines - that hinder the success of our neighbors. Perhaps you have even experienced it with loved ones...or even yourself. It is that awareness, and those experiences, that bolster empathy and connect us to one another.

In my professional circles, and with my clients, we talk about goals all the time. One goal that comes up more and more as people rise is the goal of generosity. Born out of awareness, experience, and a deep sense of responsibility to serve others, generosity goals take many forms: financial, time, expertise, and other resources. It’s the goal that asks “what will you do with the abundance that has been given to you?”

Leadership in any form is a privilege. It is the opportunity not just to lead, but to inspire and transform. It is ours not to mind the gap, but rather, as Tim reminds us, to stand in it.

What is your generosity goal? How are you contributing with your abundance of resources and wisdom? I’d love to hear all about it.