Where are all of the leaders hiding?

Historically, one of my strengths is sleep. Last year I bought a fancy piece of technology that fit on my finger and reported all sorts of data. Despite returning it because it seemed unnecessary, I did get a chuckle out of the sleep data. My average time from laying down to sleeping was 2 minutes. And I woke up maybe one time per night. 

Now, I am longing for those nights. I am coming off a string of sleeplessness. I can finally relate to my friends who I have seen really struggle with sleep over the years. It is horrible. I think the worst part is that nights without sleep bring in doomsday thinking. Does anyone lie wide awake at night thinking happy joyful things? I don’t.

In my looping thoughts last night, I questioned one the principles we stand for at Inside Out —

Everyone is a leader

I wondered, “can that really be true?” We also debunk the idea that leadership is given to you by someone else. We assert that leadership is, in fact, something that an individual chooses. And that choice is constant. 

I found myself asking “who represents that today?” Really. 

In that question I discovered examples alive right now. Leaders that stand out as this country and world struggle to define our future. 

It is in the two teenagers who organized the largest #blacklivesmatter protest in the East Bay. And all over the country. 

It is in the teenagers who started a movement for gun reform after the Parkland, Florida shooting. 

It is in one young woman who forced a conversation around climate change. 

By traditional measures, none of these teenagers have the authority to lead these movements. They chose to lead.

We often hear the women we work with discount their ideas because they don't look novel. None of what these teenagers stand for are brand new shiny topics. 

None of these leaders had a grand plan when they started. They took one step.

A phone call to a friend.

One bold proclamation against “thoughts and prayers.

One day standing with a sign in front of the Swedish parliament.

Then they took another step. And then another. 

What is your one small step today?

Shine On,

Alicia