on September 2, 2016
Leadership. Articles, books, discussions abound discussing how you define it, its importance, what are good examples of it, and what may happen when leadership goes awry.
Refresher on Leadership
Today my memory was given a refresh of a quote that I believe describes leadership.
A quote that highlights that leadership is a journey, and that like all things in life, the leadership journey will ebb and flow.
It was used by a young man in his Senior Year Speech. The quote belongs to Theodore Roosevelt, it is called “the man in the arena”.
Relevant, revealing, inspiring
In reading and listening to it, I found it as relevant, revealing and inspiring for our discussions of the leadership journey today, particularly for leadership that takes you into unchartered waters or through times of challenge, as to those who first heard it from Roosevelt at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1910.
I came across the quote because it was included in a Senior End of School Year Speech by a young New Zealand man, just 18, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. His name is Jake Bailey.
Leadership example
So I would like to do two things. Firstly share the quote with you; see below.
Secondly, I encourage you to take time out to listen to the speech of a young man who presents a great example of what leadership is, how it feels and how it can challenge you. It appears from what I have read, that he is now the man in his own arena facing his own challenge. Jake, thank you for the refresher and I wish you a speedy recovery.
The Man In The Arena
The Famous Quote: “The Man In The Arena”
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Here is footage of Jake Bailey’s Senior Year Speech.
What is important
I will finish by quoting Jake Bailey from his speech, “none of us get out of life alive, so be gallant, be great and be gracious.”
Wishing you the best.
If you would like to discuss how you can assist emerging leaders on their journey please or email me.