Reflections on Leadership

Am I a Leader?


Do you care about others
Are you willing to give them time
Can you get angry about the failure
And waste caused by crime?

Do you have a passion to make a difference
Can you help others see another option
Are you prepared to make a stance
And communicate clearly your position
Standing boldly stating what’s possible
And excite those around you,
Who in turn you inspire
To work beyond the ordinary
With passion, zeal and fire.

Can people read you and your values
Know what you stand for
See your bold and good intent
So they can rely on your candour.

Do you seek out opportunities to learn
From your own and indeed others mistakes
Thriving on new knowledge and yearn
For the opportunity to release the brakes
On people’s potential so they can grow
From the seeds you sow.

Can you cry about other’s pain
Shout about injustice
Guard against false fame
And listen carefully in case you miss
The wisdom of others.

Do you put into practice
Those values you hold dearly
Those principles you preach
Those behaviours you desire
And those standards you hope to reach.

Can you reflect on your day
And admit to learn
That maybe another way
May lead you to earn
The respect of others who say
We have ideas too
If you let us follow through
And do
For you
To
Achieve extraordinary results
That reflect the spirit and pride
You often hide
Until the applause and roar
Of success are so evident
You may as well sit back and enjoy the ride.

Leaders are big, leaders are small
Leaders don’t always walk tall
Quite often they talk with their actions
Quite often they speak with knowledge
And confidence that within a fraction
They can and will take themselves to the edge
Of the unknown to achieve that bit extra
So others learn and benefit
From the legacy of a unique contribution
That makes a difference.

If deep down, these qualities highlighted here
Stir with recognition and instil
That sense of purpose to be true
To an ideal and way of being
Then yes,
Perhaps this is you.

Mike Wash