The Four-Fingered Glove
A story, quote, and lesson on attention to detail.
No one expected it.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a state visit to South Korea this week. It was his first in 21 years, but it would only be a three-day summit so Korean President Lee Jae Myung wanted to focus on key issues including minerals, the environment and defense.
The Korean Government recognized, however, that Lula and his wife Janja were still guests of honor. They were received by a troupe of over 70 musicians, an honor guard and a delegation of children as a show of the utmost courtesy.
But the most impactful moment of the summit wasn’t this ceremonious display. It was a pair of white gloves.
When Lula was 14 years old, he lost the pinky finger on his left hand in an accident while working as a factory operator. During the trip, on a visit to the Seoul National Cemetery, he was given white gloves to wear so he could properly pay tribute.
Except these weren’t regular gloves.
They were especially tailored to his left hand, ensuring a comfortable fit despite his missing finger. Lula was so excited he immediately turned and showed his wife.
It wasn’t a monumental display of appreciation (much like the reception they got when they arrived) but it showed something much deeper: the Korean Government cared enough about their visit to think of every possible cause of discomfort or friction.
They didn’t even publicly acknowledge or mention anything. It came to light thanks to a bystander’s recording of the ceremony. This further goes to show that they simply did this to show Lula that he is seen and appreciated.
“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
- John Wooden, American basketball coach
It had been nearly 52 years since Lula lost his finger. He’s probably lived through every small inconvenience that comes with it. He likely wouldn’t have reacted to a normal glove. That’s just life.
However, what the Korean Government did went above and beyond what was expected. They didn’t do something flashy or expensive, they simply imagined what life in Lula’s shoes was like for a few days.
It was the ultimate display of empathy. And it made me think about how often we miss opportunities like that in our own lives.
We get carried away with our worries, our deadlines, our problems to solve and dreams to chase. But when we slow down enough to notice the details, we gain a strange kind of power: the ability to make people feel valued.
A short thank-you note. Complimenting your partner’s new haircut. Remembering a stressful meeting they had this week. Mentioning an important date without being reminded.
In the grand scheme of things, a four-fingered glove may not change the world order. But it might change the temperature in the room when two sides sit down at the negotiating table…
So now I ask you:
What’s one tiny detail you can handle this week that will make someone feel seen?