How many of you love watching the Christmas Movies on Hallmark Channel? 

While I may need to turn in my “man card” by saying this, (not that anyone would have ever accused me of having one in the first place) I have no problem admitting that I am a huge fan of movies such as The Christmas Card, Matchmaker Santa, Naughty and Nice, and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 

In one of the beginning scenes of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Ralph (a retired police office from New York portrayed by Henry Winkler) is in an airport and doesn't quite know where to go to catch his flight. As he stands, lost and confused, in the middle of the airport, a person runs into him with a baggage cart. 

Indignant, Frank yells (in his New Yawker accent), "Hey, I'm standing here!" The airport baggage handler simply ignores him and continues on his way. (I won't spoil the rest of the plot, but it is a great Holiday movie.)

Have you ever felt like no one seems to see you standing there? Have you ever felt as if no one noticed you, or your skills, talents, or accomplishments? Have you ever felt like another face in the crowd of faces? I think we all have at one time or another. 

“Just a Leasing Consultant”

Early in my career it was clear to me that many of the higher-ups thought of me as “just a leasing consultant.” I constantly felt that no matter what I said or did that their view of me was colored simply by the seat that I sat in, and they didn’t see what seat I could have been sitting in. And that had a negative effect on my (internal) attitude. I tried not to let it show and/or affect my work, but man, I just wanted out. (And yes, the irony is not lost on me that I now make a living as a consultant, strategist, speaker and trainer in the industry today!)

Yet, it's also pretty easy to not see the other people in our lives, isn't it? 

If you lead people, one of the most effective things you can do to improve your leadership effectiveness is simply to notice your people “standing there!” We are all driven by a desire to be seen and heard; and when we feel seen, when we feel heard, we are much more engaged, effective and positive, which makes us much better employees. 

We've all felt slighted. We've all felt ignored. We've all felt invisible and two feet small. So, perhaps as we go about our day to day lives (especially this Holiday season), we can try to see, notice and acknowledge the people around us, the people we lead, the people we work for and work with, and especially the ones we're most likely to miss.

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Photo: The cast of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"