Lead Like a Five Year Old

Returning to our roots through cooperation, natural instinct, play, art, kindness and cleaning up after ourselves.

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Windswept II, 12’ x 12” mixed media acrylic on canvas, created by author

At five years old

a quiet leader emerged,

a natural progression

of becoming who I would

be from that time forward.

When no one was there

to pick me up at school

one day

and no one telling me

I couldn’t leave,

my internal senses led me

to walk home

on my own.

A classmate followed,

not remembering

what prompted her to do so.

I piloted a path with the

unfiltered,

undaunted determination

of a 5 year old,

although fear may have been

a part of the walk,

the mission overrode

the hesitation.

What remains a mystery

is how I knew the way.

Given my attention to visuals

and an instinctive

age-related curiosity,

I walked confidently

with my little friend in tow.

She knew where to turn off,

just as I knew where to proceed.

---

Somewhere along the way,

we lose our ability to navigate

the environment without being told

how to do so.

As we mature

external influences relentlessly

pound at our doors

as we slowly give up any

natural instincts of how

to be present in the world.

We forget our child-like selves

trading those intuitive, curious senses

for the bling that

pretends to be adulthood.

We berate childish behaviors

as silly, immature, and inconsequential,

forgetting that everything (of any importance)

we learned in Kindergarten.

---

Early on, the fire in my belly

was lit by an ability

to see beyond what was/is

considered normal

or proper

or accepted

or traditional.

The leader within me

quietly observed,

made internal notes and

acted when appropriate.

Creating art became

a vehicle to voice those

internal notes with nuance

and subtleties.

My art is how I lead

through a vision of what is

and can be

when natural instincts

are allowed

to flow freely

and without restraint,

like a 5 year old naturally

leading the way home

with anyone who wishes

to come along.

---

As I got older, I loved looking at maps and planning routes, especially when I moved to big cities. I was always a bit nervous about getting lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Now I am addicted to GPS, but often tell myself to trust my instincts more, like that 5 year old.

I believe that walk home from kindergarten was a pivotal moment when my soul first absorbed the concept of faith. This is when I began to unconsciously trust that all would be okay as long as I listened to and followed my inner voice.

I learned what it took to light the fire of my inner leader. Despite the environment at any given time, which seemed stifling or close-minded, I sought out opportunities that aligned with my interests and needs. While not always successful, I sometimes fell into the fray of normalization and crowd mentality, which happens when defenses are down.

Making mistakes is necessary to learn what does not work or make sense.

Through my observations, I have come to understand that being a leader is not telling others what you think is right and wrong or barking orders or creating a culture of obedience. Good leaders are often quiet, measured, compassionate, and empathetic toward the greater good.

Educators come to mind, especially those who teach our youngest people. They are charged with guiding and encouraging young minds to do their best, while stressing the importance of sharing, playing, being and staying curious, cleaning up after themselves, learning, cooperation, and being kind to one another.

It is time for all of us to return to those roots. Let’s play, let’s dream, let’s create, and let’s be kind.

Art Image: Windswept II, the process of creating this piece was one of pure play, like being in a sandbox with a bunch of tools (mixed media) at your disposal. The title came to me as I looked at the piece and felt the wind whipping me around through its shapes and textures, not knowing where I might land. Scary for some, invigorating for me.

Michelle Lindblom

Michelle Lindblom Studio