I never met Robert ‘Tink’ Lehmer. I wish I had. He thought the way great leaders think. I say this because of a little poem he wrote in 1976.
Tink’s poem was shared during a Leadership Training program graduation ceremony I recently attended. My hope for the graduates is that they paid attention and took his words to heart. If the graduates did, his words will serve them well.
Myself
(Written June 11, 1976)
I want to be fit for myself to know
I want to be able as days go by
Always to look myself straight in the eye
I don’t want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I’ve done
I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all men’s respect
For here in the struggle for love and self
I want to be able to like myself
I don’t want to look at myself and know
That I am plastic and bluff an empty show
I never can hide myself from me
I see what others may never see
I never can fool myself and so
Whatever happens I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.
~ Robert ‘Tink’ Lehmer (May 26, 1940 – September 22, 2011)