I stumbled into leadership. Discovered it quite by accident to be honest. When I was around 9 years old and in grade four, I was tapped to narrate the school’s annual Christmas concert or pageant – its exact name I do not recall. 

I have no idea why a fourth grade student would be selected in a K-8 building (grades 6, 7, and 8 were the Junior High) – and a girl no less (it was the early 70s y’all). I like to think that a predominantly female faculty decided to demonstrate their own agency in a male led building, board, and community, and make a point while doing so. 

OR, it could have been I had zero musical talent so they found a place to slot me. (LOL) Makes you wonder doesn’t it? 

Anyway, it happened. I cannot remember the exact details surrounding the event as it’s been a minute, but can share some of the more memorable highlights.

Perception is a thing

My mama made especially for me a black velvet, full length smock-type dress to go over a snowy-white turtleneck, fashioned with a pair of knee high black boots. I was so proud of that dress, those boots, and remember that like it was yesterday. However, I’ve zero memory related to how I performed or executed the narration role.

I think I may have blocked it because that gymnasium/auditorium was filled wall-to-wall, floor-to-rafters, spilling-out-the-doors-may-have-been-fire-capacity-issue people. You feel me? Even now I get a little nauseous thinking about it. 

It was truly a whole school, Kindergarten through eighth grades’ event with all students participating, and many parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. in attendance. It was a very big deal for the tight knit community of Noble, Illinois. 

Now all this to say, have you ever revisited your elementary school as an adult? Notice how everything seems smaller than you remember back when you were a kid? Perception is everything. One of my favorite quotes is:

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” (Wayne Dyer)

What’s fear got to do with it?

As I reflect on the actual experience in that over-hot gymnasium/auditorium (did I mention the number of people), I’m thinking that literally being blinded by a spotlight allowed me to pretend I was in the room all alone. I remember beyond the spotlight was nothing more than a black abyss.

There’s no other explanation for why I didn’t curl up in a corner and cry for my mama. 

Can you imagine being 9 years old, standing alone, on a box, at a podium, with a single blinding spotlight, expected to ensure the show goes on for the entire school community? I know, right?! 

Do you think the school leaders in charge were anxious that evening, she asks rhetorically? As for me, I sure don’t recall being afraid. I just remember loving my boots! Oh the sweet days of innocence…

Now if we could just bottle “No Fear!” mindsets and open a cold one during those times when we’re standing at Opportunity’s Edge…

What could we accomplish? What decisions would we make differently? 

Failing or learning?

So here’s a thought. What would happen if we reframe failing to learning and embrace it as a celebration leading to growth and improvement? We fear because of the unknown, the uncertainty, the lack of perceived control of events and outcomes, yes? 

What would happen if we became certain that failure will be championed and leaning into it is a good thing? How does that change things?

I assure you my fourth-grade self had the courage to do that very big thing because I knew. I knew I had a whole group of trusted adults carrying the safety net should I miss the bar.

If I fell, I would never hit the ground because I knew they would catch me. I was certain that no matter the outcome of my performance, I would still be supported, valued, and propped back up.  

Reframing failure to learning can help alleviate uncertainty of outcomes and results, and ultimately stave off fear. I think this small shift has the potential for huge rewards. 

Can we provide leadership that nurtures a culture to facilitate radical thinking where failure is not only good, but embraced just as great teachers have been doing since time immemorial? Can the private sector, ed orgs, and nonprofits adopt what educators do by matter of course? 

Teachers gonna teach

On that December night all those years ago, I was selected to narrate a pageant, and those doing the selecting were most likely uncertain of the outcome other than the obvious – delivering the school’s holiday concert/pageant. They didn’t know if I would be successful. 

But what they did know was that it was a teachable moment and that’s what schooling is about – learning, growing, and becoming.  

They empowered me to empower others. And as a result, I learned the more you empower others, the more empowered you grow. It’s an elegant paradox. 

So full circle. While stumbling into leadership was a happy accident on my part, I suspect not so much by the faculty who orchestrated the entire holiday event, including my own self-learning. 

Where would we be without teachers to light our way?

Educators are special, and in my opinion, loaded with superpowers. Many have the vision, understanding, and intellect to know the map is not the territory. 

I’m eternally grateful for the many teachers, mentors, and coaches who have appeared and continue to appear on our journeys, lighting our way. 

Without educators, I wonder where we as a Metaverse would be?

Think of the great inventors, innovators, and leaders and imagine a world without their lasting contributions and gifts they’ve so generously provided for our betterment. It’s a much different world isn’t it?

People say leaders change the world. But let’s be clear. It was teachers who first identified, invited, and introduced them to their own potential and innate talents. 

I am beyond grateful for receiving that invitation. How about you?

If it’s the same, right now, don’t delay, go thank them and follow their lead. Most assuredly, they know the way.