Leading and Learning

After a recent speech on Think Big Manifesto a woman slipped me a note.

It was a poem by Natasha Josephowitz.

My right hand is held
by someone who knows more
and I am learning

My left hand is held
by someone who knows less
and I am teaching

Both my hands must be held
for me to be

-end-

The future belongs to the learner. The future belongs to the leader. We must be both to create an expansive and collaborative world in which all people have the opportunity for full self-expression.

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Comment by Cheryl A. Lowitzer on May 19, 2009 at 11:44pm: In my yoga community, we often remark "when the student is ready, the teacher appears". And the Course in Miracles workbook reminds me that each encounter and every situation will reveal its lesson when I'm willing to open my mind/heart to it. This poem ties it all together using tangible, relevant imagery. Whomever the woman was who slipped it to you Michael, my blessings and gratitude go out to her (and you) for sharing it!

Namaste!

Comment by Madlyn Springston on May 19, 2009 at 11:39pm: Based on that poem, I think I'll go ahead and get your book and read it. I feel that teaching and learning are completely are organically dependent upon each other. I have to confess, when I was invited to this site may initial impression was this was some kind of hyped-up infomercial to sell a book or just a llot of over-the-top motivatioinal verage. I think I'll keep an open mind and see whats going on here.

Comment by Monique Gallagher on May 19, 2009 at 4:13pm: Michael,
This is something that I must tell you that I really learned what this poem said after becoming a BYS coach. I used to think that I could only give, give, give. It wasn't until you attracted such a wonderful group of people to become BYS coaches that taught me it is ok to ask for help and receive from others.
Monique

Comment by Mike Wilke on May 19, 2009 at 2:58pm: This is the "ideal" place to be.

Comment by Dale Williams on May 19, 2009 at 2:22pm: Good one, thanks Michael.

Comment by Trissa Tismal on May 19, 2009 at 1:23pm: Beautiful poem. It pulls me to share with the world, the things I am learning everyday. Thanks for sharing!

Comment by Tracey on May 19, 2009 at 1:09pm: I have long felt as though humans are in their essence learners. We can connect with the authentic parts of ourselves and others by sharing wisdom in a free, organic way. In this way, learning is a vehicle to becoming our best selves.

Comment by Arthur Ian Hardin on May 19, 2009 at 12:40pm: The poem reminds me of an acronym that I learned from a minister in my hometown and that I use as a teaching moment for our students at WSSU; EOTO - Each One Teach One. It is the basis for how knowledge is passed down generation to generation and the poem clarifies how the information flows (or should flow) through each of us. If we are not connected, we are lost and the society will be the poorer.

It is a reminder of who we should be and what we should do.

Comment by Bill Burns on May 19, 2009 at 12:24pm: Great poem and thanks for sharing Michael. This exact process happens in every Toastmasters meeting. Learning, teaching mentoring. I highly recommend Toastmasters to all.

Comment by Victoria Eden on May 19, 2009 at 12:22pm: Yes, The true sign of a leader is one who holds no one back, but instead helps all who are willing, go higher.

Thanks for sharing!