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Lesson 3: The Fine Art of Attention to Detail: A Personal Journey in Leadership and Life

06/29/2024 | Silvester & Company |

In my career, the distinction between something good and something great has often boiled down to the nuances—the attention to detail. This principle, while widely acknowledged, was brought to life for me by Margo, the best and toughest leader I’ve ever had the privilege to work under. She was the best because I knew how deeply she cared about my success; she was the toughest because she pushed me harder than anyone else, challenging me to excel beyond my perceived limits. In today’s business environment, which largely promotes a servant leadership style, I often reflect on how Margo’s rigorous approach shaped me. Her insistence on letting me struggle through issues to find my own solutions and learn to deeply focus on details instilled a resilience that servant leadership sometimes overlooks. In this article, I’ll share just a few examples of the principle of “leadership through details” came to life for me while working with Margo.

Margo, the Master of Details

Margo’s detail philosophy was most on display early in my career with Silvester & Company when I began writing position profiles, candidate assessments, and marketing materials. Margo’s editing was not merely about correcting errors but instilling a sense of precision and excellence. When reviewing documents, Margo’s approach was rigorous: she never made changes herself but returned the documents adorned with red-penned edits and queries. This method was not punitive (as I may have felt it was at times) but educational. Margo believed that true learning comes from doing—not just from being told what is correct. Through this repetitive yet constructive process, Margo taught more than just grammar; she instilled a mindset attuned to excellence.

Thanks to her persistent guidance, the lesson was clear: leadership is as much about teaching as it is about doing, and sometimes those lessons come through what may initially feel like painful repetition. According to several studies, including a 2021 study by Carnagie Mellon University, have shown that such hands-on learning and iterative feedback significantly enhance comprehension and retention, a practice that Margo mastered and used to foster a culture of detail-oriented leadership in her team.

Thanks to Margo, I am also a much better writer and will never mistake when to use “Margo and I” v. “Margo and me” in a sentence!

Lesson from the Shoe Store

Beyond the confines of the office, Margo’s teachings extended to personal presentation. After a client meeting in St. Louis, she took me shoe shopping, subtly guiding me to consider what my choices said about me. Did I appear as someone who opted for ease or someone who was capable of reading my audience and curating what I wear to fit the moment? This reflection, rooted in the old adage to “dress for success,” taught me that every detail—from clothing to accessories—sends a message about professionalism and dedication. What I chose to wear to a client’s board meeting is and should be different from what I wear to a mining client’s operational tour. While the emphasis on personal appearance might seem outdated, it underscores a broader lesson: attention to detail in all aspects can influence perceptions significantly, a fact supported by numerous studies linking professional attire to successful business outcomes.

Study links:

The Art of Listening

One of Margo’s crucial teachings was the art of listening, a skill that encapsulates the essence of attention to detail. She showed me that effective listening goes beyond hearing words; it involves picking up on subtleties, understanding context, and reading between the lines. This skill is crucial for leadership, as it allows for a deeper connection and a better understanding of team dynamics, client needs, and market shifts. Research has shown that leaders who master the art of listening tend to make more informed decisions and build stronger relationships. Margo’s insistence on listening not only as a skill but as an integral part of communication taught me to pay close attention to both what is said and what is unsaid.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my time with Margo, her impact on me stretches well beyond typical professional mentoring. She didn’t just refine my work habits; she revolutionized how I engage with every aspect of my life. Margo’s emphasis on detail wasn’t about chasing perfection, but about fostering a culture of thoroughness and precision. Her demanding approach wasn’t just a challenge—it was an invitation to explore deeper, to question more astutely, and to appreciate the nuances that often go unnoticed.

Nowadays, whether I’m parsing a complex document at work, understanding a candidate’s experience, or trying to decipher the cryptic words of a pre-teen at home, I find myself channeling my inner Margo. I probe, I analyze, and I seek the essence. Those red-inked edits of hers? They’re a fond memory now, reminding me that paying attention to details can reveal much about the bigger picture.

And though it’s a challenge to instill this level of scrutiny in my team—and yes, even in my kids—it’s rewarding to see how this approach enriches our understanding and decision-making. Every personal and professional success I now enjoy feels like a tribute to the diligent, sometimes playful work of getting things just right, one thoughtful step at a time. I encourage others to embrace the rigorous discipline of attention to detail, recognizing it not as a burdensome chore but as a strategic pursuit that elevates the good to great, across all aspects of life.