Today was one of those days. It was one of those days where you put your clothes on backwards accidentally and then you put the socks on the wrong feet, you spill your coffee, you accidentally print your papers single sided instead of double sided and everything feels just a little bit off. 

I'm a creature of habit, so anytime I see a day going off the track a bit, I do get a bit disheartened. Not to say I completely shut down, but it's like when you know you are wearing your shirt backwards and you're trying to make it through your day but that little tag keeps scratching your neck as a reminder that even though you are trying to make things right..things are still a bit topsy turvy. 

We had our practice for TEDx at the Middle School today and although it was not bad, it was just clear that things weren't going to be perfect. The kids had to practice with a different microphone, there were some nerves and some memorization errors and some kid-like stumbles here and there. And as I could feel my blood pressure continue to rise, I stopped for a second and thought back to my morning where I had asked my students to choose their favorite quote that they believed represented themselves or their year or their heart and soul of who they were. One of my students, a quiet soul had found the following quote which I wish to share: "Leaders become great...not because of their power but their ability to empower others."

It was like that quote hit me at the perfect moment in time. What wisdom this student came across that often as a society we forget. The best leaders are not looking for perfect. They are not looking for power over others to create perfection or even power to force perfection over creativity, heart and soul. What distinguishes a good leader from a great leader is this ability to put perfection aside and think solely about how he or she is going to ignite passion in another. And passion does not stem from perfection. Rather, it stems from whimsy and flexibility and the ability to make a difference, create a small change and ignite others to do the same. 

So despite the topsy turvy day and the less than perfect dress rehearsal, it was a great reminder that we should all strive for empowerment over power and imperfect perfection over perfection.