Who are giants in your company? Do they have a big title? Perhaps. But maybe they're everyday people-leaders like you and I who may become giants of greatness in the coming decade.

I recall a story shared by Max De Pree, the former chairman of business furniture innovator Herman Miller Inc., in his book, Leadership is an Art. He describes sitting in on a conversation over lunch with his father and Jimmy Eppinger, a longtime sales manager with the company, in which his father recalled how the two helped the company survive during the Great Depression and the darkest of times.

Max listened intently as his father recounted a time when he was visiting Jimmy's home in New Jersey at Christmastime and noticed that Jimmy's family had no Christmas tree or any gifts that year. Mr. De Pree knew it was because the company didn't have enough money to pay the sales commissions that was due their company representatives, including, Jimmy.

As Max's father recounted the story with humility, he said that Jimmy probably didn't remember the time since it happened so long ago, but it was still very vivid to Mr. De Pree, because he felt as though it was his fault that Jimmy's family would have no Christmas. Jimmy was quick to respond that he remembered the visit like it happened yesterday. When Mr. De Pree asked him why, Jimmy said it was because that was the night he was given the New York territory. And it turned out to be the greatest opportunity he ever had.

Herman Miller not only survived the Great Depression, but also it became regarded as one of the most respected furniture designers in the world.

Giants see opportunity but also focus on the far more important matters: being committed to a diverse concept of people and embracing the workplace's human gifts. They value respectful and inclusive relationships in the workplace, and they hold the organization's core beliefs accountable to the concept of leadership as a condition of enabling and serving.

It is awe-inspiring when organizations overcome tough challenges through leaders who genuinely inspire greatness in the work environment. Authentic leaders protect the self-worth of all working professionals and instill a worthy cause in the value of an employee's drive to achieve extraordinary things.

With growing complexities waiting on the horizon in the coming year, giants at every level in the organization will be needed to embrace the challenges and create success. Right now, more than ever, today's companies need 21st Century leaders who are effective at unlocking the giant in others and within themselves. These giants - leaders who reflect greater cohesive role modeling and are prepared to make brave decisions, act honorably and rapidly, and demonstrate a profound respect for people and stakeholders - will take their organizations to a whole new level of greatness.

Stewarding talent is not only business critical, but it also is critical on a national level to the world's major economies in order to achieve long-term sustainability.
When it comes to stewarding talent in 2011, how might your organization need to adapt to:

• Ensure an ethical foundation is in place and aligned to the role of shareholders, the organization and leaders?

• Find innovative ways to attract, engage and manage the talent within your organization's workforce (talent) portfolio?

• Gain insight into the great diversity of the team and enable others to share their talents and gifts?

Giants are those people leaders who are concerned about the people they impact (and how) and who take responsibility for the care of their company during a certain stage along the journey. Giants leave many gifts along the way, especially the kind that build a winning legacy and positively change lives along the way.

©2010 All rights reserved. Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCS is the President of The Infusion Group ^TM LLC, a next generation people management consulting and executive coaching firm. For more information, go to www.theinfusiongroupllc.com