Why My First Job Was the Best Leadership School

As my teenagers set out into their first real jobs, I've been reflecting back on my first job as a 14 year old, a janitor at BC Tree Fruits Fruit packing plant in Kelowna. Most Friday nights and Saturday mornings you'd find me cleaning lunch rooms, scrubbing washrooms, emptying garbages, tidying offices.

It was an important maturing experience for me. In fact I think everyone should be a janitor sometime in their life.

And I think everyone needs a boss like I had: Eduard Dueck.

I learned a lot about hard work and leadership from this humble man. Here's just three things he taught as I reflect back on those two years.

Leaders roll up their sleeves:

Eduard would lead by example. He was sweating by the end of our shift. Leaders are not people who assign tasks and then sit back and watch others work.

Leaders encourage you to try and fail:

Eduard gave me real responsibility. He didn't just swoop in and save me when I made a mistake. That's saying a lot when you are working with a 14-year-old.

Eduard empowered others.

Leaders genuinely care about others:

We would have coffee break and he would bring out some Danishes and juice boxes. And this 60 year old man and his wife Anne and a couple of teenagers would just share stories and life together. I wanted to do a good job because I liked and respected my boss.

Several years ago Eduard passed away. And the family asked me to speak at his funeral, which was an honor. And I told those gathered that the biggest thing I learned from Eduard was he led by example. Don't ask others to do what you aren't willing to do. Nothing was beneath him. He was not more important than others.

Eduard taught me leadership more with his actions than his words. And it shaped me.

Who's the Eduard in your life?

Maybe you were fortunate to have an amazing boss early in life that set you on a helpful trajectory when it comes to work ethic. I'd love for you to share your early job and learnings below.