Over the past week or so, a lot of attention is being given to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech, delivered 50 years ago tomorrow during the 1963 March on Washington.
Did you know that the entire “I have a dream” portion of the speech was an impromptu deviation from the original text? As Dr. King was giving his planned speech, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson interjected from her seat near the podium;
“Tell ’em about them dream, Martin.” she said. “Tell ’em about the dream.”
He did tell them about the dream. Passionately, fervently, Dr. King put the script aside and spoke from his heart to the hearts and minds of the people in the crowd. He helped them see his dream and want it for themselves. He got them on board for the hard work and the sacrifice it was going to take to achieve the dream.
None of us will ever be the orator that Dr. King was. However, we are leaders. We have a vision. And the best leaders know how to share their vision and inspire their followers.
How do you share our vision? What is your dream for your team? Have you told them? Are they on board?
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Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.
