A core value my mom instilled in me and my sisters was the idea that wherever we went, we should leave things better than when we found them. At the time, she was teaching us about keeping things tidy and organized, and about being helpful and cooperative.

Over the years, I have paid attention to how that teaching shows up in leadership.

One of my favorite coaching questions is this:

When you are checking out of a hotel room, how do you leave the room?

Oftentimes, people look at me in confusion because it is a question they have never been asked, or something they have never really thought about.

I can tell instantly those who have been conscientious about how they leave a hotel room and those who have not given it much thought.

Some quickly describe piling up towels, wiping down countertops, and putting trash where it belongs. The beds may be unmade, but everything else is in its place. The coffee filter is in the garbage. These are small details, but they can name them easily because they have thought about them and acted on them consistently.

Others say, “I just pack and leave. I make sure I have my things, leave a tip, and check out.”

And then there are those who pause and say, “You know, I have never thought about that before. Next time, I think I am going to pay attention to what I actually do.”

Which makes me wonder:

Can how we leave a hotel room be an indicator of how we treat and lead others?

What do you think?