No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other

Mary Kay Ash, the visionary who built an empire of opportunity for women, once declared with simple but eternal wisdom: “No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important.” In this teaching, she reveals a truth that transcends business and enters the realm of the human soul: that the measure of greatness is not found in how much one achieves, but in how one treats others along the way. Busyness may consume the hours, but the smallest gesture of recognition, a word of kindness, or a moment of listening can ignite a light in another’s heart that endures long after schedules and tasks are forgotten.

The origin of this wisdom comes from Ash’s own life. As the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, she built her company not merely on products, but on principles of dignity, encouragement, and human connection. She understood that every person hungers for recognition, for the assurance that they matter. In a world driven by speed and competition, she insisted that true leadership is found in pausing long enough to see others, to honor them, and to lift them up. Her empire thrived not because of clever strategies alone, but because it was woven together by the golden thread of human importance.

History bears witness to this principle in many forms. Consider Abraham Lincoln, whose burden during the American Civil War was greater than most men could endure. Yet amidst the weight of war and governance, he was known for stopping to shake the hands of soldiers, to listen to their stories, to write letters of comfort to grieving mothers. His greatness lay not only in his vision for the Union, but in his ability to make individuals—whether soldier, clerk, or citizen—feel that their sacrifices were seen and valued. Even in his busiest hours, he found time to make others feel important.

We see the same in the life of Mother Teresa, who, while serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, faced endless demands upon her strength. Yet, for each person she met, she gave her full attention—as if that one soul were the most important in the world. For her, the act of recognition was not a luxury but a duty of love. Though overwhelmed by need, she lived Mary Kay Ash’s words in their highest form, showing that no busyness can excuse the neglect of another’s dignity.

The deeper meaning of Ash’s teaching is that importance is not given by status, but by attention. To recognize another person is to affirm their humanity, to say, “You matter.” In our hurried lives, we often pass people by as though they are shadows. But when we pause to see them, to listen, to honor their worth, we become instruments of healing and encouragement. Such acts seem small, yet they can change destinies, for many rise or fall not on great events, but on whether they felt seen, valued, and loved.

The lesson is clear: greatness is not in hoarding time for ourselves, but in giving time to others. Whatever your position—leader, parent, teacher, friend—make it your practice to set aside haste and give the gift of presence. Your words may fade, but your recognition will remain carved into memory. In a world where everyone battles invisibility, your act of making another feel important may be the very thing that gives them strength to continue.

Practically, this means adopting habits of attention and presence. Look people in the eye when they speak. Put aside your distractions to listen fully. Offer encouragement not only to the powerful, but to the overlooked. Remember names, remember stories, remember to say, “I appreciate you.” In so doing, you multiply not only their sense of worth but also your own impact in the world.

So remember, children of tomorrow: no matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important. The busyness of life will vanish like mist, but the moments when you lift another’s spirit will echo like thunder across time. Be the one who sees, who honors, who gives worth. For in giving importance to others, you reveal the noblest importance of your own soul.