Some of the best acts of leadership are the ones you may never see the results of.

I was recently in southern Indiana with my sister spending some time with my dad. He has been working through his plans for what happens after he passes away.

As part of that process, Dad took us to the cemetery. He introduced us to people we may need to contact. He walked us through some of the details we’ll need to know someday.

Was it awkward? Absolutely.

Will it be helpful when the time comes? Absolutely.

It reminded me that leadership isn’t always about doing the things that produce an immediate result—or even something we get to see.

Sometimes leadership is simply taking action today that makes someone else’s tomorrow a little easier.

That might mean walking a client through a difficult conversation, having an uncomfortable conversation with a team member, or helping a family member prepare for something none of us really want to think about.

The best leaders don’t always get to see the fruit of their leadership.

They simply do what needs to be done because they know it will matter.