Leaders Give It Away

This week I learned of a quote from Pablo Picasso that reminded me of being a new parent many years ago.

Picasso’s quote was “ The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.“

As leaders, we learn over time that part of our obligation is to give away things to the people we lead. What can we give them?

We can give away our knowledge, skills, our compassion, our empathy, and our love for our teammates.

The parenting episode I remembered was my two sons teaching me a song they learned in pre-school.  If you have raised children, you may remember this song as well.

The song is called “Magic Penny” and it was written by a singer, songwriter, activist named Malvina Perry.

The lyrics are:

“Love is some thing if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away,
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

“It’s just like a magic penny.
Hold it tight and you won’t have any.
Lend it, spend it, and you’ll have so many.
They’ll roll all over the floor.

Money is dandy and we like to use it.
But love is better if you don’t refuse it.
It’s a treasure and you’ll never lose it.
Unless you lock up your door.

So let’s go dancing till the break of day.
And if there is a piper we can pay.
For a lovely some thing if you give it away,
You end up having more.”

This song  emphasizes one of the beauties of exemplary leadership.

Leadership is a gift and we can give it away.

One of the most important things we can give away to the people we lead is our love for them as human beings and our love for their potential to grow into leaders themselves.

So please consider your leadership a gift.

And as Pablo Picasso advised, please endeavor to give it away.