A funny thing happened on the way to my blog post today...

My original plan for a blog post was either going to be Knitting-Related content or More Knitting-Related content, but what I did during lunch time derailed that--in a good way.

Today I had the opportunity to attend the first in a Series of Discussions on Women in Leadership, hosted by our U.S. Senator Tim Scott and featuring Carly Fiorina, former chairman and CEO of HP. I was able to invite other women to attend, which made me deliriously happy because I love being able to encourage others, and I felt that this had the potential to be helpful to women in leadership positions.

"Women represent half the creativity and potential of the nation... Leadership is about making a positive difference and unlocking potential in others." Carly Fiorina

Carly Fiorina and US Senator Tim Scott at today's Women in Leadership luncheon

I had to wonder at first what a high-powered executive like Carly Fiorina could say that would apply to me--a not particularly high-powered wife, mom, knitting instructor, knitwear designer, knitting blogger. It didn't take long for me to realize that the principles of great leadership apply wherever you lead. The passion that I have for knitting instruction comes directly from wanting to make a "positive difference" in the lives of others. When people learn to knit or learn a new technique, it empowers, it satisfies, it will even potentially lower blood pressure and increase manual dexterity! People tell me that they've tried to knit and failed, or that they could never ever learn it and I always say, let's just give it a try (or another try).  I see the potential for them to master a skill, because I said for years that I could never ever learn. (I was wrong.)

She also spoke of how she loves to see that look the people get when they realize they can do something they did not think they could do. She may have meant problem-solving on an executive level for a Fortune-50 company, but if there were ever a perfect description of watching someone catch on to a knitting technique, this is it.

So my advice to you today, my Simple (Not Really)Knitting Tip, is to be encouraged. You may be a Senior Manager or a mom of a senior in high school, but you are a leader where you are.  You can make a difference in the lives of the people around you--empower, uplift, develop, invest. The potential in a new knitter (or a new sales consultant or student or employee) is powerful and you really never know how far someone can go with some training, some respect, and some confidence. People matter. You matter.

And in case no one else has mentioned it lately, I'm glad you're here.