| A near-freezing rain chilled my bones as I pulled up in front of the art center where my company’s yearly holiday party was being held. The man who came to park my car was at least my father’s age. He must be miserable working in rain like this, I thought. I wondered if I could do anything to help . . . but what? I gave him my keys, pulled my coat collar up and ran toward the building.
Inside, the room glowed with lights, music, the smell of good food and friendly faces wherever I looked. I talked to a few colleagues and scanned the room to find my boss. I wanted to let Rob know that I’d just landed a big account, one that he had referred to me.
Finally, I saw him across the room, waiting in front of a chef carving a great slab of roast beef. I made my way through the crowd, but when I reached the serving table, Rob had disappeared.
“Hey,” I said to the man with the carving knife, “can you tell me where that gentleman went?”
“Probably to the parking lot. He’s made at least four trips back and forth with food and hot punch for the guys parking cars tonight. He keeps telling me how cold it is out there.”
“Thanks,” I said, grateful for the reminder of what real leadership was. “Maybe you could fill a plate or two for me to take outside too.”
Father, don’t let me ever forget that real success means grabbing every opportunity to do good. | 
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