David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer at the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, shared a reflection on leadership and potential in his recent piece titled “Unseen Potential.” In the article, Freund describes an early morning experience with his woodstove that led him to consider how dormant resources can be activated with the right approach.
Freund recounts waking up to a cold house despite having placed a log in the stove hours earlier. He explains, “I considered the situation and thought to myself, ‘What would it hurt to open the damper, open the bottom ash door, and see what happens?’” After making these adjustments and waiting patiently, he noticed a small flame grow into a strong fire that eventually warmed his home. “With minimal effort on my part, the fire had rekindled and become a blessing to everyone in the house,” Freund writes.
He draws parallels between this experience and leadership within organizations: “I began to think about what it sometimes takes to rekindle a spark — what it takes on the part of a leader to bring amazing results from something that appears dormant.” Freund emphasizes that even when resources or people seem inactive or overlooked, they may only need encouragement or support from leaders. He notes, “How much opportunity lies dormant in our organizations? How much potential lies dormant in our communities, just needing the right environment or stimulus to bring it to life?”
Freund encourages readers to recognize untapped potential around them: “Take some time to look more deeply at the people around you. Are there people who are just waiting for something — or someone — to stir them? Consider our community — what opportunities are out there just waiting to be awakened?” He suggests practical ways leaders can help others realize their abilities: “Perhaps all it will take is a word of encouragement. Perhaps it will take some funds to get something started. Perhaps it will take rolling up our sleeves, coming alongside them, and showing them the opportunities rather than just talking about them.”
He concludes by urging optimism: “We live in a world filled with buckets of cold water, always ready to quench our optimism. Why not be the spark that ignites optimism — and with it, great opportunity?”
The article is featured as part of The Next Shift newsletter published by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York.
