I was on my way to catch an early morning flight to Sydney. The purpose of the trip was to run a workshop for some of our colleagues in our Sydney office.

Earlier the night before, I realised I had left the workbooks in the office in Melbourne. They were an essential part of the workshop - I needed them.  The office was on the way to the airport, so I left earlier in the morning and detoured past the office. It was incredibly early - about 6am - and yet the lights were on in the office.

As usual, the MD was there, working in his office.

I scrabbled about at my desk, loading up the workbooks and printing out a few more important notes, when the MD walked past on his way to get his morning coffee.

He acknowledges me with a “Morning Malcom”.

I ducked for cover, expecting an inquisition of why I was in the office so early, but his coffee mission was more important than my workbook omission.

I loaded my bag, turned off the PC and continued my journey to the airport.

A week later, I was in a meeting with the MD and the others in the leadership team.

The MD observed that no one else seemed to be showing the dedication to the business that he was.

“You all need to show greater commitment. We need some greater effort."

And then he said it.

"Look at Malcom here. He starts at 6 o’clock in the morning, and that’s what dedicated employees do.”

It pays to be visible. Even if it is accidental. 😊