Mirror Moments: Unleashing the Hidden Brilliance in Everyone

A few years ago, I ran a simple Facebook experiment.

I posted:

“I see something beautiful in each and every one of you. Like this post and I’ll tell you what I see in you that’s special and important.”

At first, the responses trickled in—tentative, curious. But once I started commenting with personalized reflections, the floodgates opened.

The likes didn’t pour in because people were fishing for compliments. They came because the premise was so rare:

Could someone really see something beautiful in everyone?

Within the day, over 350 people had responded.

Yes, it took time to respond to each one, but not as much time as you might expect.

And, no, it wasn’t hard.

What surprised me most was how easy it was to find something genuine and good in everyone. Former colleagues, college friends, distant connections—all had left an imprint.

And then something completely unexpected happened:

Engagement exploded. And more importantly—connection deepened.

People messaged to say thank you, to share memories, to reestablish a bond that had once drifted. Relationships that had been dormant or superficial turned into something warmer, more real.

This wasn’t about me, though it did feel unbelievably positive.

It was about what happens when you reflect someone’s goodness back to them.

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Insights on Leading with Heart

• Recognition isn’t a luxury—it’s fuel. People don’t need grand rewards. They need to feel seen for who they are and how they contribute.
• We often notice excellence silently. Leadership means choosing to say the good stuff out loud—clearly, consistently, and without waiting for a performance review.
• Authentic appreciation rewires culture. It builds psychological safety, increases engagement, and turns a group of coworkers into a community.
• Leaders are human mirrors. When we reflect someone’s strengths back to them, they stand taller, think bigger, and lead better.

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Practical Ways to Implement These Ideas

1. “Beautiful” Mondays: Start each week by naming one underappreciated strength you see in a team member. Do it publicly and personally.
2. Run a “Gratitude Chain.” One person shares something they appreciate about another—and then that person passes it on. (It’s like a Slack-based conga line of kindness.)
3. Create an “Unseen Strengths” Wall. Ask each team member: “What’s one strength you think people overlook in you?” Collect their answers and reflect them back as a team gift.
4. Use the 10-Second Rule. If you think something kind or admiring about someone—say it within 10 seconds. No saving it for later.
5. Design a Team Exercise: Pair people up to write down what they most admire in each other’s leadership. Read them out loud. Yes, it might feel awkward. And yes, it’s 100% worth it.

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What would happen if you tried this with your team this week? Or your LinkedIn community today?

Don’t wait for a special occasion.

The beauty is already there.

All it needs is a little light.

#LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #ProfessionalGrowth #AuthenticConnection #AppreciationInAction #LeadWithHeart