Everyone’s a Leader

When I was a leader at Disney Institute, they had an insight that, everyone is a leader. That insight was adjusted over the years, but I believe the original insight was correct. In our daily lives and in our spheres of influence, we are all leaders, and therefore have leadership choices. 

I live on Flagler Beach in Florida, and like many of the East Coast Beaches we have turtle season (May through October). We all do our part to keep lights low, be respectful of the turtle nests, and do our best to keep our beaches clean so these beautiful sea creatures can continue to thrive. This year we even adopted a nest which hatched ninety Loggerhead Turtles. Recently, my wife and I were enjoying a long walk on the beach. We noticed a struggling baby turtle baking in the sun, far from the water but surprisingly still alive. What to do? 

I thought of the story of a little boy coming upon hundreds of starfish washed up on the beach and he started throwing them back to sea one by one.  A person came by and said, “you cannot save them all, what does it matter?” The little boy smiled and picked up another and threw it into the ocean. “It mattered to that one,” he said. With that in mind I carefully placed the baby turtle in my hat and waded out into the ocean until I was neck deep and beyond the wave break. I released the baby and watched it swim away. I know from my research later that I may not have followed the proper protocol, but it was a spur of the moment leadership decision. I don’t regret my decision. I believe in my heart that one individual can make a difference and that even a small act matters. I hope that is true for you, and I hope it mattered for my new little Turtle friend!

FACT: Loggerhead turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Nine distinct population segments (DPS) are listed as endangered or threatened. This means that the loggerhead turtle is in danger of extinction, now or in the foreseeable future, throughout all or a significant portion of its range.