It takes both.

Leadership takes both being and doing, identity and purpose, character and charisma. In fact, who we are is even more important than what we do, for the latter flows from the former. To lead well it takes both. Always. One without the other is dead on arrival.

A royal train,

Lord,

more scintillating

than jewelled enamel.

Look,

now I spread it in a wheel.

I must say I derive

some satisfaction from my good looks.

My feathers

are sown with eyes

admiring themselves.

True,

my discordant cry shames me a little–

and it is humiliating to make me remember

my meager heart.

Your world is badly made,

if I may say so:

the nightingale’s voice

in me

would be properly attired–

and soothe my soul.

Lord,

let a day come, a heavenly day,

when my inner and outer selves

will be reconciled

in perfect harmony.

Amen.

(‘The Peacock’ by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, The Creature’s Choir, trans. Rumer Godden).

About The Author

Dr. Yaw Perbi

Dr. Yaw Perbi is a Ghanaian-Canadian medical doctor and serial entrepreneur with three decades of executive leadership experience spanning medical, military, missional, media, ministerial, multinational and multilateral organizations. For eight years Yaw was President & CEO of a Canadian non-profit in the international education space. Dr. Perbi has served in over 50 countries in-person, on all continents, and has been the toast of media groups worldwide ranging from the BBC and CBC through CNN to the National Press Club (Washington DC). Yaw is the Founder and Principal at PELÉ. As an Executive Coach, few things thrill his heart than seeing C-level executives grow in authenticity, succeeding in life and leadership, and attaining lasting significance in society.