The story I selected for my final Light from Many Lamps assignment was about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s last speech, a radio address he was to give in honour of Jefferson Day. In it he also addressed the upcoming end to the second world war and his hopes for peace and a better life for all. He encouraged the people of America to conquer their fears and spend time cultivating relationships. He ended his speech with these inspiring words:
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith” (Roosevelt, 1979, p. 309).
Unfortunately President Roosevelt died before giving this address. It turned out to be his final written message to his countrymen and the world.
Northouse (2016) defines leadership as ‘a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal’ (p.6). My greatest influence as a leader presently comes through the relationships that I create with my students, colleagues, friends and family. Although I have not been formally promoted to a leadership role, I have come to the realization that life is all about relationships. The words of President Roosevelt’s speech are very timely as the end of this course fast approaches for me. I do not know where my leadership path may take me in the future, but I continue to move forward with ‘strong and active faith’ investing in the lives of those around me while I discover more about myself and new ways that I can make a difference in this world.
Roosevelt, F. D. (1979). The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith. In L. E. Watson (Ed.). Light from many lamps (pp. 309-318). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.