For the last seven years, every spring and every fall, I’ve led a six-week leadership development series at a local university.

We’ve always met on Thursdays from 9-11 am, and I have my departure time down to a science. If I pull out of my driveway at exactly 7:45 am, I know how long it will take me to get onto the interstate and how long I will wait at the 170/64 merge.

In fact, I can also promise you that if I leave on time, I will park my car on the 5th floor of the parking garage that is attached to the building where I facilitate. Not only will I park on the 5th floor of a very full garage, but one of the first five spots on the right, just past the elevator, will be open. I will pull into one of those spots at 8:22 am on the dot.

I say all this with absolute certainty.

In this post, a simple roof replacement experience reveals key lessons in leadership: the importance of listening, building trust, and providing exactly what your team needs—no more, no less.