Top o’ the mornin’ to ya’!
In our house, there are few holidays we love celebrating more than St. Patrick’s Day. While traditional clovers have three leaves, I’ve long-loved four-leaf clovers, and Kasey has a special eye for finding them. I can’t tell you how many she’s found for me since our college days. More than anything, though, it’s an opportunity to get out and connect with so many of the people we love.
One of the themes associated with St. Paddy’s Day is luck. Surely, the idea of luck leading to fortune is an idea that resonates with most people. We relish thinking about pots of gold at the end of big, arching rainbows. We say, “Good Luck” to people, both when we’re serious about wanting them to succeed and when doubt their ability to find success. Luck, we believe, can strike at just about any moment for just about anyone. And, when it does strike someone, it not only makes their life better, but it cements one of the most powerful emotions in the world in our hearts: hope.
As leaders, we often hope for luck to be on our side. However, we often don’t have the luxury of relying on luck to bring about the change and success we are charged with providing for our schools and communities. Those who do rely on it, simply “hoping for the best,” generally find themselves removed from leadership before too long. Wishing upon a star is not a reliable strategy for those who lead. Successful leaders find their “luck” another way.
Thomas Jefferson was one of our nation’s Founding Fathers and served as the third President of the United States. His most well-known contribution came in written form: the Declaration of Independence. While the Presidency and the Declaration are the primary reasons his name continues to echo through history, I came across a small quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson early in my journey in leadership that has continued to echo within me:
“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”**
I tend to agree with Jefferson. The harder we work, the “luckier” we get. It’s not just that a strong work ethic often leads to success on its own; it’s also that hard work brings us to a place that allows us to take maximum advantage of opportunity when it arrives on our doorstep. As leaders, we are entrusted with the sacred duty of improving the conditions of others through our servanthood, and that’s not something we can ever leave to chance.
It’s great to get lucky, but leaders who intentionally choose greatness create their own luck.
#ChooseToBeGreat
Angelo
**Though this quote is attributed to Jefferson, he may never have actually said/written it.
CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 