Every Little Action Matters

But the truth is simpler. The moments that matter most are rarely the loudest. More often, they’re the smallest actions, the brief conversations, the quiet attention given at exactly the right time.

That’s what people truly crave. Not fanfare, not fireworks, just to be seen, heard, and supported.

A Moment on the Production Floor

A few months ago, during my last contract at a plant, I was walking the production floor when I noticed an employee who looked upset. He wasn’t just tired, something was clearly weighing on him.

I stopped. Not for long, just long enough to ask him what was wrong.

He explained that his working conditions were brutal. His job was to wash pucks which are small objects used to carry units along the conveyor belt for filling, coding, labeling, and so on.

To someone outside the industry, “washing pucks” might not sound like much. But as I quickly found out, his situation was serious.

He led me to his work area: a tiny corner with hot water, harsh chemicals, and almost no ventilation. The moment I stepped in, my eyes began to burn. I couldn’t stand there for even a full minute. Yet this employee was expected to endure it for hours.

I immediately agreed with him: this wasn’t acceptable. I asked if he had raised the issue with his supervisor.

“Yes,” he said. “But nothing happened.”

A Stalled Process

This is where things often stall in organizations. An employee speaks up. The problem is acknowledged or brushed aside but no action follows. And over time, the employee learns that speaking up doesn’t make a difference.

That’s exactly where he was.

“What’s your next step?” I asked him.

“Nothing,” he said flatly. “I’m waiting for my supervisor to act.”

But waiting wasn’t a solution. His health was at risk. His frustration was visible. And the silence from leadership was already eroding his trust in the organization.

Coaching the Next Step

I encouraged him to keep pushing, respectfully, but firmly.

He needed to ask for help again, but this time with more structure:

• Show the work area and the lack of airflow.
• Document the health impacts he was feeling.
• Suggest possible improvements.
• Make sure he was following the work instructions to the letter so nobody could deflect blame onto him.

And if his supervisor still didn’t act? Then he had to escalate. Go to the manager. Go to the health and safety team. Make sure the issue couldn’t be ignored.

On my end, I knew some of the people in charge. Even though this wasn’t part of my mandate, I quietly spoke to managers and reminded them about the issue whenever I crossed paths with them. And each time I saw the employee, I checked in.

Weeks passed. Nothing happened.

But persistence pays off. Eventually, the meeting was held. He was able to explain the situation. And corrective actions were finally taken to improve the working conditions.

The Impact of 30 Minutes

Since then, every time I see him, he thanks me. He asks if he can buy me lunch. He smiles more. He feels heard, respected, and valued.

And the truth is, my role was minimal.

In total, I might have spent 30 minutes encouraging him, following up, and nudging a few managers. Nothing flashy. No grand speech. Just presence and persistence.

The impact, however, was enormous:

• A safer workspace.
• An employee who feels motivated again.
• Trust rebuilt where it was fading.

One small action, multiplied by consistency, turned frustration into gratitude.

Looking back, I should have told him something else when he offered to buy me lunch. I should have said:

“Repay me by helping a colleague when they need it. Pass it on.”

Because that’s how cultures shift, one small act of support, multiplied across people.

Learnings

This story taught me and reminded me of several important lessons about leadership and impact.

1️⃣ Small actions build big trust

We don’t need to wait for a huge program or initiative to show employees they matter. A simple, genuine “How are you?” at the right moment can be the difference between someone shutting down and someone speaking up.

2️⃣ Listening is leadership

What changed everything here wasn’t my ability to “fix” the problem. It was stopping long enough to listen, validate his experience, and encourage him to keep going. People don’t always need solutions, they need to feel heard first.

3️⃣ Advocacy creates momentum

The employee had already spoken up. What he needed was someone to back him up, to give his words weight, and to remind decision-makers that the issue was real. As leaders, even small acts of advocacy can break the cycle of inaction.

4️⃣ Persistence beats politics

Weeks went by with no progress. That’s where persistence mattered. Quietly, consistently bringing up the issue kept it from being forgotten. Change often requires repetition, not just a single conversation.

5️⃣ Leadership isn’t about titles

This wasn’t part of my official role. Nobody asked me to get involved. But leadership isn’t defined by job descriptions, it’s defined by choices. Every one of us has the power to step in and make a difference when we see something wrong.

Conclusion

We overestimate the big moments and underestimate the small ones.

Leadership isn’t always about grand strategies or major decisions in the boardroom. More often, it’s about the hallway conversations, the quick check-ins, and the willingness to pause when someone looks upset.

In this case, 30 minutes of care shifted one employee’s reality. He went from frustrated and ignored to motivated and grateful. And in the process, his working conditions and perhaps his long-term health, improved.

The lesson is simple but powerful:

Every little action matters to them.

When you stop to listen, when you encourage persistence, when you quietly advocate, you remind people that they are seen and valued.

And when employees feel seen and valued, performance follows. Not because of pressure or policy, but because they know someone cares.

So the next time you walk past a colleague who seems upset, pause.

Ask the question. Offer your support.

You may not think much of it in the moment. But to them, it could mean everything.

Carl-Michael Tessier

PS: What’s one “small action” someone once took that made a big impact on you at work? I’d love to hear your story below.

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#ContinuousImprovement #OperationalExcellence #EmpatheticLeadership #ListeningMatters