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| John O' Donahue and his beloved dog |
John O' Donahue was an Irish teacher and poet. O'Donahue explains "blessing" as a way of life, as a lens through which the whole world is transformed.
A Blessing For leaders
MAY
YOU HAVE THE GRACE AND WISDOM TO ACT KINDLY,
LEARNING TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHAT IS PERSONAL AND WHAT IS NOT.
LEARNING TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHAT IS PERSONAL AND WHAT IS NOT.
MAY YOU BE HOSPITABLE TO CRITICISM.
MAY YOU NEVER PUT YOURSELF AT THE CENTRE OF THINGS.
MAY
YOU ACT NOT FROM ARROGANCE BUT OUT
OF SERVICE.
MAY
YOU WORK ON YOURSELF, BUILDING UP AND REFINING THE WAYS OF YOUR MIND.
MAY THOSE WHO WORK FOR YOU KNOW YOU SEE AND RESPECT THEM.
MAY YOU LEARN TO CULTIVATE THE ART OF PRESENCE IN ORDER TO ENGAGE WITH THOSE WHO MEET YOU.
WHEN
SOMEONE FAILS OR DISAPPOINTS YOU,
MAY THE GRACIOUSNESS WITH WHICH YOU ENGAGE BE
THEIR STAIRWAY TO RENEWAL AND
REFINEMENT.
MAY
YOU TREASURE THE GIFTS OF THE MIND
THROUGH READING AND CREATIVE THINKING
SO THAT YOU CONTINUE AS A SERVANT OF
THE FRONTIER WHERE THE NEW WILL DRAW ITS ENRICHMENT
FROM THE OLD,
AND
YOU NEVER BECOME A FUNCTIONARY.
MAY
YOU KNOW THE WISDOM OF DEEP
LISTENING, THE HEALING OF WHOLESOME WORDS,
THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE APPRECIATIVE
GAZE, THE DECORUM OF HELD DIGNITY,
THE SPRINGTIME EDGE OF THE Insight-Generating QUESTION.
MAY
YOU HAVE A MIND THAT LOVES
FRONTIERS
SO THAT YOU CAN EVOKE THE BRIGHT FIELDS THAT LIE BEYOND THE VIEW OF THE REGULAR EYE.
SO THAT YOU CAN EVOKE THE BRIGHT FIELDS THAT LIE BEYOND THE VIEW OF THE REGULAR EYE.
MAY
YOU HAVE GOOD FRIENDS TO MIRROR
YOUR BLIND SPOTS.
MAY LEADERSHIP BE FOR YOU A TRUE ADVENTURE OF GROWTH.
MAY LEADERSHIP BE FOR YOU A TRUE ADVENTURE OF GROWTH.
I like to say that leadership is not a role; leadership is a practice. One does not assume the role of doctor, attorney, CPA, engineer, artist or musician. One practices medicine, law, accounting, engineering, art or music. Great leadership is the result of great practice.
If the poem resonates with you, I'd recommend the following simple daily practice that I call "JUST BE IT" (My apologies to Nike 😃)
[Print out a copy of the poem and keep it with you.]
[Print out a copy of the poem and keep it with you.]
Before walking into the office or your work area:
Cue: Turn off ignition
Routine: Be intentional about being more [pick one of the leadership qualities from the poem] with others (“Today I will be…”)
Before driving home:
Cue: Turn on ignition
Routine: Rate yourself on a scale of
1(low in exhibiting the quality) to 6 (High)
Reward: Do
something (Or say something) nice for yourself because of the effort and/or
progress you made.
In the words of George Elliot, "It's never too late to be what you were meant to be."
In the words of George Elliot, "It's never too late to be what you were meant to be."
To your greater success and fulfillment,
Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT
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