Leadership from a different perspective – yours. What does this mean?

Naked Leader Week – 94 (w/c Monday 7 March 2005)

Leadership from a different perspective – yours.

 What does this mean?

 The Naked Leader is not about me, it is about you, and nl week reflects this in three ways:

 1 You decide what is written – send me suggestions for contributions, I particularly seek views that differ or disagree with those of Naked Leader – nlweek@nakedleader.com

 2. Anthropologists suggest we each have around 30 trusted people in our lives – please forward to your 30, amending anything you wish, and if you wish, remove any reference to Naked Leader.

 3. Connect with other forces for good –  www.nakedleader.com/force4good. We will connect 1m people together by the end of 2006.

 This week, a classic from Max Ehrmann, suggested by Marian Orme from Jersey.

Thank you for reading, and I send you my warmest love and best wishes, wherever you are

David

x

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.