A Wish for Leaders

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I participated in Leadership Tomorrow (LT) this year and at the opening retreat last September a quote was read (see below) that has stuck with me.  As we draw near to the end of our program, I reflect on the 9 months of day long workshops, suggested readings, team projects, and discussions with fellow classmates and find myself re-reading it in a slightly different light. I recall the first time hearing it that I felt that these were things I wished for my daughter (who is 3 1/2 at this time). I read it again with the same hope for her, but also for those in my office, for myself, and for those in the Capitol Hill community who are doing bold and brave things. I also wish them for the leaders of our region, nation, and planet. A year ago, I wondered if LT would be worth it (both from the time and financial committment required), but looking back on what I've learned about myself and the region around me, the friendships I've made, and the hard lessons I've learned...it's definitely been a worthwhile investment.

If you have not heard about Leadership Tomorrow, visit this link to learn more. https://www.leadershiptomorrowseattle.org/theprogram.html If you're still unclear about it, don't hesitate to ask. I'm glad to share my experiences with you. And now for the quote:

A WISH FOR LEADERS

I sincerely wish you will have the experience of thinking up a new idea, planning it, organizing it, and following it to completion and have it be magnificently successful.

I also hope you’ll go through the same process and have it “bomb out!”

I wish you could know how it feels to “run” with all your heart, and lose horribly!

I wish you could find something so worthwhile that you deem it worth investing your life within it.

I wish you could achieve some “great” good for humankind, but have nobody know about it except you.

I hope you become frustrated and challenged enough to begin to push back the barriers of your own personal limitations.

I hope you make a stupid mistake and get caught red-handed and are big enough to say those magic words, “I was wrong!”

I hope you give so much of yourself that some days you wonder if it is worth all the effort.

I wish for you a magnificent obsession that will give you reason for living and purpose and direction for life.

I wish for you the worst kind of criticism for everything you do, because that makes you fight to achieve beyond what you normally would.

I wish for you the experience of leadership! --- Dr. Earl Reum