After attending a funeral and recognizing that people often receive heartfelt tributes when it is too late for them to hear them, Walter Green decided to take action. He spent 11 months traveling to visit and honor 44 important people who had shaped his life. His journey launched the worldwide “Say it Now” movement, which encourages people to express gratitude and appreciation to friends, family, co-workers, and employees while they are still able to hear it.
Previously, Green spent 25 years as the Chairman and CEO of Harrison Conference Services, building it into the leading conference center management company in the U.S.
At a recent Business Outside Leadership Retreat, Walter Green shared his wisdom with leaders in vision care. One of the most powerful reminders: It’s okay to take life seriously, but we do not need to take ourselves too seriously.
For leaders, this is an important distinction. We can hold our work, our relationships, and our responsibilities with deep commitment while still leaving room for humility, lightness, and joy.
Green’s message is both simple and profound: be kind, be intentional, and show up authentically. Here, we unpack three ideas for how to reach this target.
1. Build Relationships Through Connection.
In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, the gift of connection may be one of the most meaningful gifts we can offer. For everyone—but especially leaders—connection is not a soft skill. It is a leadership responsibility.
The foundation of authentic connection is not built through surface-level interaction. It is created through presence, authenticity, vulnerability, and the willingness to make people feel seen, valued, and supported.
Cultivating meaningful relationships is a priority in life and leadership. These relationships become pillars of support during joyful times—and difficult seasons. They remind us that we are all connected and do not have to navigate life, work, or leadership alone. Investing in genuine connection creates a foundation for trust, belonging, resilience, and fulfillment.
Purpose gives leaders something to return to when circumstances feel uncertain. It helps us remember what matters, where we are going, and who we want to become along the way.
2. Tap Purpose for Clarity
Green’s wisdom also reminds us of the importance of purpose. Having a meaningful goal or sense of direction helps us move through life with greater clarity and hope. Purpose gives leaders something to return to when circumstances feel uncertain. It helps us remember what matters, where we are going, and who we want to become along the way.
Gratitude deepens this perspective. Too often, we overlook the everyday miracles surrounding us: the ability to wake up, breathe, move, think, love, serve, and begin again. These moments may seem ordinary because they are familiar, yet they are anything but ordinary.
3. Say It Now.
The Say It Now movement, which encourages people to share heartfelt expressions of gratitude in real time, embodies this vision. It reminds us not to wait to express appreciation, honor impact, or tell people what they mean to us.
Walter Green’s wisdom is a call to lead with kindness, purpose, gratitude, and connection. It reminds us that leadership is not only about strategy or outcomes, but also about how we make people feel seen, valued, and supported.
True leadership asks us to show up fully, listen deeply, give generously—and say what matters now.
Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBLCA, ACC, is a doctor of optometry, podcast host, and founding board member of the Intrepid Eye Society. She is also an ICF Associate Certified Coach and the founder of Alpine Blue Coaching.