Leadership Lessons From The Shopping Mall

Growing up, one of my favorite memories with my mom was going to the mall but not to shop, but to sit. We'd grab a bench, get an Orange Julius or a pretzel, and just… watch. My mom loved people watching. She could sit for hours, quietly taking in the world around her. And whether I realized it or not at the time, she was teaching me something I still use every single day: how to observe.

That simple act of watching and listening without an agenda - just being curious - became one of the greatest gifts of my life.

In a world that moves fast, observation is a superpower. It allows you to slow down, tune in, and see what’s really going on beneath the surface. When you know how to listen not just to words, but to body language, tone, and energy you can spot opportunities others miss. You can separate noise from truth. You can lead with clarity instead of reacting to chaos.

When I trained as a life coach through Martha Beck’s program, I finally had language and tools to go with this natural ability. I learned how to help others tune in, get honest, and step fully into the leadership of their own life.

It starts by paying attention.

Whether you’re guiding your family, building a business, or leading a team, your ability to listen and observe is a direct line to better outcomes. You create trust when people feel seen. You make wiser decisions when you’re not just reacting. And you build stronger teams when you recognize what each person is built to do.

Want to strengthen this muscle?

Try this:

Set a timer for five minutes today. Put your phone down. Watch what’s happening around you at the coffee shop, in a meeting, on your walk. Listen. Don’t fix. Don’t judge. Don’t even interpret. Just notice.

You’ll be surprised what opens up.

That’s the beginning of empowered leadership not just for others, but for yourself. And it all starts with what my mom taught me from a mall bench: when you stop to observe, life speaks volumes.