I’ll never forget the way my mother would stop me at the doorway, look me in the eye, and ask, “Are you leaving the room better than you found it?”

At the time, she was teaching me responsibility—to clean up after myself and to pay attention to the impact I leave behind. But that simple question became more than a childhood lesson. It became a guiding principle for how I live and lead.

Today, before I leave any room—whether it’s a stage, a boardroom, or a one-on-one conversation—I ask myself the same thing: Did I leave this space better than I found it?

And here’s the powerful part… I now enter every space intending to leave it better. That intention changes how I show up. It creates a ripple effect of presence, purpose, and impact.

When I work with business leaders, I often share this story. Too many leaders walk into their teams expecting others to prove their value. But the most impactful leaders do the opposite—they create the kind of space where others rise. They focus on how they can elevate the room, the energy, the people.

That’s legacy. That’s leadership.

Leadership in Action: 3 Simple Prompts to Elevate Every Space You Enter

1. Pause & Prime – Before entering a room, ask: “What energy am I bringing into this space?” Set an intention to contribute positively.
2. Be of Service – Whether you're leading a team or speaking with one person, ask yourself: “How can I support or uplift this person right now?”
3. Reflect & Refine – At the end of each day, journal or mentally review: “Did I leave the spaces and people I touched better than I found them?” If not, what would I do differently next time?

With love,
Rudi

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