Gil Sanchez directs Casa De La Esperanza, a children’s home in Northern Mexico. I have taken volunteers skilled in various building trades to do remodeling and new construction at Casa for several years now. The home does an amazing job providing a secure place in a Christian environment for orphaned children to live. At any given time there are over 60 children in Casa’s care.

Gil has done amazing things at the home since assuming responsibility as director several years ago. I learned about one of his leadership secrets this past weekend. His philosophy is: We all do windows. You have no doubt heard the phrase: I don’t do windows. Gil has taken a common phrase and assigned new meaning to it. We all do windows. In other words, we all serve. Everyone does what is necessary to accomplish the objective. The director could be seen working in the kitchen. The assistant director could be working on financial statements in the morning and pouring concrete in the afternoon.

I like Gil’s philosophy. In a world that is becoming more specialized all of the time, such a simple principle still works. A willingness to roll up our sleeves and serve where we are needed could be critical to the accomplishment of our organization’s mission. The attitude: I don’t do windows hurts morale and impedes progress.

Servant leaders set the right tone. Police supervisors willing to direct traffic in the rain at an accident scene gain the respect of the officers under their command. Ministers willing to show up at the church work day and donate their labor like everyone else show the congregation that they are sincere. Children’s Home directors like Gil Sanchez, who wear multiple hats on any given day, inspire volunteer groups to return year after year.

I am going to remember that phrase. Now I know what to tell my kids when they complain about doing household chores. But more importantly I know what to tell myself when I am inclined to complain about something I have been asked to do. My colleagues may hear me mumbling under my breath: We all do windows, we all do windows…And they will wonder why is John mumbling something about windows? I will just smile and tell them I need to make a visit to Casa De La Esperanza soon. I need some additional lessons on window washing and leadership from Gil Sanchez. They may walk away a little puzzled, but that is alright too…