Powerful beyond Imagination

In a speech in 1990, Parker J. Palmer spoke of the importance for leaders to lead from within. According to him, we co-create the world that we live in by projecting our spirit of hope or despair. He spoke of the need for leaders to project their light instead of their shadows.

I am a firm believer that everything we do affect others. I am acutely aware of the interconnectedness of everything in this world. I believe that we always have a choice over the kind of world we want to live in. Ghandi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” If you want the world to be a caring place, be a caring person. If you want a gracious society, you must be a gracious person first. We are not powerless. Every little thing we do can influence others.

Leaders, especially, are powerful because they have the power to create conditions of light or shadows under which others must dwell in. One of these shadows that I can relate to is the perception that life is a battleground. This perception has led to a commitment to competition. In education, we see this perception reflected in the classroom where children try to outdo each other to be the top student. We see this perception reflected in the staff room where teachers compete to be ranked higher than their colleagues. We see this perception reflected in the cluster where schools compete to win the most number of awards. If we allow the shadow to prevail, these may well be what we will see. But we are powerful beyond imagination and can prevent these from actually happening.

As a leader, I have the power to project the converse, the light that the universe is working together for good. I can create a classroom where cooperation is emphasized and put in structures to encourage the consensual, cooperative and communal way. This light could be amplified to shine in other areas where human interaction takes place. It could become so bright that it would ignite the light within everyone of us.

Chris