Bill Treasurer’s son Ian inspired his book Leaders Open Doors. Talking about being the leader at school, he shared “I got to open doors for people.”

For the 2nd time, my team is launching this amazing book. The 2nd edition, published by ATD, is available this month.

The idea of leaders opening doors is both a powerful and simple one, and one which we can all relate to.

While in San Francisco last month, I had the opportunity to have dinner with a woman who opened doors for me that led me into a future I could not have imagined, the one I am now living as an entrepreneur. Jesse Stoner referred our first client (Whitney Johnson) and her endorsement of me and my work also opened a door to a strong partnership/collaboration with Berrett-Koehler Publishers, which has resulted in more tremendous opportunities.

When I thanked Jesse for opening those doors, her humble response was this: “I have opened a lot of doors, but not everyone walks through them the way you have.”

As a leader, this sentence gives me hope. While I can make a big difference by opening doors for people, and supporting them through the journey, what people ultimately do when we open doors for them is beyond our control, ultimately.

When we open doors for people, some people will take advantage of what we’ve offered and enjoy the benefits of our door opening.

When we open doors for people, some people will not even walk through the door at all. Or they will walk through, stumble through, or lose their way.

When we open doors for people, a rare few will maximize the opportunities we offer. They will learn, grow, accomplish, succeed, and go on to open doors and create opportunities for others.

They will take up the legacy of open-door leadership and pay forward the gift we gave when we opened a door for them.

I want to live my life each day in a way that honors the leaders who have opened doors to make a way for me. When I open doors for others, I am continuing the legacy Jesse and others started when they opened doors for me.

Will you take up the legacy of open-door leadership?

To learn more about the importance of opening doors for others, buy Bill Treasurer’s book — today! Or buy it as a thank you for someone who opened a door for you.