As I reflect on his life, three lessons come to mind. 

1.  Don't Reject a Person Based on Your First Impression
I admit that when I first met JP, I didn't know how to approach him. In fact, I found myself a bit afraid.

I wasn't sure what to say and not at all sure he'd understand me. It would have been more comfortable to not engage except that JP was always engaging in his way.  

Over time, I learned to meet him where he was, speak to him without expecting him to speak back and trust that we were connecting through the ether. 

2.  Embrace Difference
JP's "difference" was apparent for everyone to see. His distinctive gestures and guttural utterances announced his presence.

With most others who look and act differently than us, we can learn to appreciate their differences through conversation. 

That is, if we're brave enough to have the conversation. 

3.  Find a Way to Unlock Strengths
As JP moved into adolescence, his intellectual prowess was unlocked via a communication method known as letterboarding.

Letterboarding uses an alphabetic template to allow a non-speaking person to spell out words, sentences and paragraphs by pointing to the letters on the template. 

Here's a picture of a letterboard.

When JP and his family discovered this tool, it changed their lives. Now they could communicate in the same language. JP's mom shared her conversations with JP on Facebook from time to time. I was amazed at JP's comprehension of the world around him. And touched by his sensitive understanding of human nature. 

If we each work only half as hard as JP's family did at finding ways to unlock the strengths in those around us, we will be astonished at how they can contribute to a better workplace and a better world.

JP will be missed by those whom he touched in this world. And I, for one, want to carry on his legacy of love, courage and acceptance.

_______________________

Passionate Leadership
is who you're being as you're leading.

About the Author

Gayle Ely is a Leadership Coach, Trainer and Facilitator and founder of Total Life Leadership. At Total Life Leadership, we partner with purpose-driven non-profit leaders and service entrepreneurs to help them answer the question “How Do I Become a Better Leader?”

Using The Six Pillars of Passionate Leadership, we equip leaders to be the best they can be.  The result is a passionate leader whose team and organization are operating for maximum impact.

Explore what’s getting in the way of passion in your leadership. Schedule an exploratory conversation. There is no cost and lots of value.