Be The Hummingbird, Make A Difference 

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Do What You Can

Why Read This? Because It’s About You.

You don’t need a title to lead.
You don’t need a budget to create impact.
And you don’t need to be the loudest voice to be the one people remember.

If you’ve ever wondered:

  • “Do I really make a difference?”
  • “How can I help my team care more, connect more, or serve better?”
  • “What can I actually do when I feel powerless or overwhelmed?”

Then this story is for you.

It’s about how small actions, done with heart, don’t just improve experiences, they transform them.

Last week, during a live podcast recording and training session at the Moody Center in Austin, I shared a story that impacted the audience:

A hummingbird sees a forest fire.
While elephants and other large animals flee, the tiny bird flies to a stream, collects a single drop of water, and drops it on the flames. Again and again.

“What are you doing?” the other animals asked.

“I’m doing what I can,” the hummingbird replies.

That simple image became the theme of the day.

Because while the team at Moody Center came together to talk about elevating the premium experience, what we discovered was something even more valuable:

A Premium Experience isn't about perks. It's about people.

It is built moment by moment, even from the tiniest drops of intention.

I watched it happen firsthand:

  • A team member recognized a colleague's name and made her feel seen on her very first day.
  • During a property tour, I saw a General Manager pick up a  sign that had fallen, not because anyone was watching, but because it mattered to her and her community.
  • I saw two attendees quietly tear up when recognized by my words and a gratitude stone, because they needed it.

None of these actions cost anything.

However, each one is very important and impactful.

During my presentation, something shifted we all felt it. 
People weren’t just listening, they were engaging, affirming, reflecting, encouraging each other.
These coworkers, who typically didn't interact daily, although they all work in the same building, some for years.

They didn't know each other's names. 

During the training, they became a community, right before our eyes.

Why is this important?  They now realize that they share a common goal, and understand how each of them play a part in their collective success. 

What Can You Do With This Message?

Here are a few ways to be the hummingbird in your world, starting today:

  • Notice One Thing Others Don’t
    Pause. Look around. Who’s been overlooked? What’s out of place? What needs a little attention?
    👉 Then act. It could be a kind word, a quick fix, or a thoughtful follow-up.
  • Do One Small Thing That Matters
    Pick something you’d normally walk past, something out of place, a colleague sitting alone, a customer exhibiting frustration.
    👉 Address it, even if it’s “not your job.” That’s where impact lives.
  •  Make One Person Feel Seen Today
    Call someone by name. Thank them for something specific. Give a compliment they’re not expecting.
    👉 The smallest affirmations build the strongest culture.
  •  Start a Hummingbird Habit
    Each morning, ask yourself:
    “What’s one drop I can add today?”
    Then do it. You’ll be amazed how quickly small acts create momentum.
  •  Share this Story
    Tell your team the hummingbird story. Ask them, what can they do?

👉 Stories spread. And they inspire others to act when most people don’t. So here's your reminder:

You don’t need to be the elephant.
You don’t need to control the fire.
You just need to be the hummingbird.

Do what you can.
Notice what others don’t.
Act when most people don’t.

Because small acts, when done with heart, don’t just elevate experiences, they transform them.

Want to bring this message to your team, venue, or event?

Let’s talk. I’d love to help your people feel what the Moody Center team just did: valued, inspired, and ready to work as a team, to do what Most People Don’t.