Leading with Love: Marlin Vilius’ Life Transformed by Friend with Down Syndrome

Have you ever had a friend that profoundly changed your outlook on life? For EVS Assistant Director Marlin Vilius, that friend was a boy named Sidge.

While facing challenges resulting in multiple suspensions in high school, Marlin gained a new perspective through his friendship with Sidge, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. After meeting the boy and his family at their church, the two forged a lifelong bond. This relationship developed a deep sense of empathy and a passion for inclusivity in Marlin.

Marlin had been working with kids with disabilities as a city recreation counselor for some time, but something about Sidge grabbed hold of him. "My passion [for kids with disabilities]  just went to a different level because Sidge became my brother," he explains. When Marlin went to college to play basketball, he and Sidge stayed in touch and are still close friends today. 

Later, Marlin also used his time to give back to the disabled community by volunteering with the Special Olympics. "The passion of it and the smiles on the parents' faces were incredible; to see their kids happy and included was priceless," Marlin gushed.

These experiences have given Marlin a unique outlook and a strong sense of empathy and understanding, which have proved to be a valuable leadership asset to him and have also made him an ideal member of the HHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team. Marlin believes that everyone can succeed if given the opportunity. "First and foremost, I'm not judgmental. I'm all about opportunity," Marlin asserts. “It's about making people feel happy and included."

One of the most critical lessons Marlin has learned from his inclusivity work is patience. "Without patience, nothing else works," Marlin states. "The relationship won't be there, the passion won't be there. Everything falls on patience."

Marlin applies all these principles in his daily interactions with his team. He has had many opportunities to help team members grow and develop in their roles because he leads with empathy and understanding. Marlin takes the time to understand his team members' struggles and offers support. This helps make the team culture more inclusive for everyone.

For decades, it has been possible to neglect developing empathy while still succeeding as a leader. However, now it would be considered not only out of touch but risky to do so. Forbes recently called empathy a “necessity” in leadership. The article states, “The ability to truly understand and share the feelings of others is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage.” A leader’s empathy can drive good business results and improve employee satisfaction and retention. 

Marlin is a testament to the power of empathy. He fosters an environment where all team members feel valued and supported by treating everyone with respect and kindness. He can connect with people from diverse backgrounds and understand their unique challenges, making him an effective and kind leader. Marlin has demonstrated that the best leadership goes beyond managing tasks and achieving goals. 

Marlin is just one example of how empathy, understanding, and compassion can elevate your managerial skills and create a positive, inclusive work environment for your team. What steps can you take to improve your empathy skills today?