Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Today’s Leader Talk
Yes. But only in this pond and only in this moment.
I woke up at five this morning because my alarm was set for six. It was like waiting to wake up for an early flight. Every fifteen minutes I’d open my eyes to check the time, deciding that I would only get up when the clock actually struck six. It was still dark outside.
My plan was to shower and dress and boil some eggs and go through my ‘script’ for an event I was to moderate later in the morning. I added things, but not too many. It’s always good to be brief in these things and get out of the way for the content speakers.
The audience was nearly all older adults – 250 of them. I talked about the joy of being in a room full of influencers which is what each of us is, having lived so long and done so much, and that we must do things with that influence, not be timid in asserting ourselves. I talked about the vast power of showing up, and that showing up was a force multiplier which is something I really believe. Those were things a leader would say. They weren’t factual things. They were inspirational things. And so, I thought to myself, you’re in a position to inspire people. It didn’t feel fake or pretend. It felt like those were things I was entitled to say. They were words that hadn’t come cheap, I’d earned them.
That’s new.
That’s leadership.
It took a lot out of me. I came home and took a nap. I never nap. But I did today.
15 Comments on “Today’s Leader Talk”
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Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
There are many people who want to lead who don’t even know how well they are leading already. There are some who think they lead but do not. Those who have experience and are willing to mentor others are gift’s to the next generation. The best of my career came from mentoring others.
There are so many people who don’t realize they could lead. The best leaders develop others. Tom
Bravo. Well done. Our aging “influencers” should be speaking up (like you) in this pivotal moment
So true. Project 2025 really goes after Social Security and Medicare big time. It baffles me why anyone would think that’s a good idea.
“Biden naps” have been presidentially approved by Executive Order
Ha! I’ll let Howie know. LOL
Sounds like an inspiring job well done Jan!
this is so great that you did this, you truly were a leader and never think anything less of yourself. inspiring.
So glad there is a crossout over that sign! The worthiest cause in the nation right now because without it all the other good causes could crumble. Good for you!!!
Project 2025 is the most outrageous plan one could imagine – focused entirely on restricting rights and taking away key supports. Unbelievable.
And yet the idiots say they are going to vote for him. They can’t be really listening to what he is saying… and more often not saying.
It’s an uphill battle, for sure. I think a lot of people just don’t believe that Project 2025 is real or could happen. But it is and it could.
If I was a praying woman, I would pray that it won’t but all I have is my vote and my raves.
And the people who respect your opinion. 🙂
Hopefully, but it doesn’t feel like anyone is changing their opinion this year. Hard to believe, but people supporting Trump seem not to care what he does. They are not voting “for” him. They are voting for the myth he has established. If they were really looking at him who with any sense would vote for someone so delusional?