The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Own.
Jul 17, 2025
It’s Not Your Title.
It’s Not Your Resume.
It Is Your Name & How You Make Others Feel When You Use Theirs.
What if...
A Secret To Better Leadership & A Better Life Isn't In a Handbook or an MBA Course?
Instead,
What if...
It is simply that you actually know and say someone’s name?
Sometimes, the deepest connection lies in how you recognize, and speak someone’s name.
There’s a quiet power in the way you truly know and gently speak someone’s name
During my interview with Edward Mady, Hospitality Legend and author of "Honing the Human
Edge", this week I noticed he used my name several times throughout the conversation.
It made me feel recognized as a person, and not just as someone conducting a podcast.
As our discussion flowed, he said something that really resonated.
“The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Own Is Your Name.”
Think about that.
It's NOT your title.
It's NOT your corner office.
It's "Your Name".
Your name represents your Integrity.
Your name represents your Values.
Your name represents your Uniqueness.
Your name is your Identity.
Before I started recording our podcast, I asked Edward specifically how he would prefer to be addressed.
"Edward, Ed, Eddie, Mr. Mady"?
Without intentionally realizing it... READ MORE HERE
I had already embraced the value of his name and wanted to show him appropriate respect.
Edward has led 128 award-winning teams.
Obviously, he has a lot of experience and an excellent track record.
He has overseen and managed two of the most iconic hotels in the world.
He has earned "International Hotelier of The Year".
But what he has really mastered, is something far deeper.
It's The Art Of Honoring People.
He Sees Them.
He Helps Them Grow.
He Honors Their Name, Respectfully.
He Believes In Them, Even Before They Believe In Themselves.
He Calls It “Cracking The Code”.
It's the act of uncovering the hidden strength in someone.
Even when they can’t see it for themselves yet.
It’s not soft. It’s POWERFUL.
It’s how you build Loyalty, Legacy, and Impact That Outlives Any Business Quarter.
It's How Culture Is Created.
It's How Things Get Done.
This week's podcast episode reminded me (and I hope reminds you) that true leadership isn’t about being in charge.
True Leadership is about Being There, any way you can, In-Person, On The Phone, Virtually...
It’s about awakening the greatness that already lives within others.
It is about helping them pull the best out of themselves.
At its heart, it’s about igniting the brilliance in those around you.
Especially When the Fire Is Hot.
Especially When the Pressure Is High.
Especially When the Future Feels Uncertain.
Sometimes it’s gently or strongly addressing someone by their name.
Are you ever really too busy to see a name tag? Or just too distracted to see the person behind it, as a leader or as a customer?
The next time you are at a restaurant or checking out at a grocery store -
Read the name tag of the person who is helping you.
Address the person by their name.
It's the MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY OWN.
Recognition & Respect typically yield great Results.
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Respect and recognition aren’t soft skills—they’re success strategies
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True results are born from genuine respect and thoughtful recognition
For More Inspiration
Listen to this week’s podcast episode #192: "The Name You Carry, The Code You Crack:
Lessons in Humanistic Leadership" , Edward Mady, Hospitality Expert and Author
Edward Mady, Hospitality Expert | Leadership Coach | Amazon Best-Selling Author | Hotels Magazine’s Hotelier of the World | Board: Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation • Surf Air Mobility • UNLV College of Hospitality • Talent Plus
Every week, I have conversations with leaders who share powerful insights to help you Be Better, Feel Better, Do Better, and Live with Greater Impact.
🔹 Find all my podcasts on Apple, Spotify at mostpeopledont.com.
Don't miss out on the chance to be inspired and empowered!
It's another great one! 🎧
