Today we will be sharing out with the group a symbol of our leadership values. We were asked to bring something small, that fits in the palm of our hand that represents our leadership values.

I thought about this in the back of my mind for the past few weeks. I made a little list with a few items. One of the objects I had in mind was a skeleto key, but I was hesitant with that idea as it felt cliche- like everyone is going to walk in there with a key. But the more I thought about it, the stronger I felt about the idea of a key. Keys unlock doors, unlock opportunities…they can get you in and out of spaces. You control the key. Keys can be a symbol of power. Keys to the city and whatnot…The key to success! The key to my heart… Keys can be mysterious- what does the key open? What’s behind that door or in the locked chest? I do love a good mystery to solve!

The images below are some of the keys I collected and turned into necklaces and sold on my Etsy when I had more time to do that. 😉

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I have boxes of skeleton keys at home. I am fascinated by the variety of shapes and designs and thinking about how somewhere out there is a lock missing its partner. They are all dainty yet somehow solid and hefty…and in control of something seemingly bigger than themselves.

So here is what I decided on….it’s a key. But it doesn’t open anything. It’s a key with a secret. It’s secret….it is a pocket knife!

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So while the key itself can still be symbolic of all the things a key can be… It has more of an edge to it. Like myself. I keep parts of myself close to my chest… my key is on a necklace. Yet I can open up and share who I am easily. I want to enviosion my self as a strong leader with many aspects and sides to my leadership. I’m not just one thing, I can be many. I’m a little shiny, but also a little dull (ha!). I can cut through BS. I am sharp witted and fun when I need to be and when I want to be. I am dainty but I am hefty. I am utilitarian but approachable.

I am starting to feel like I am stretching this too far, so I will stop there. I’ll let y’all know how it goes.

UPDATE:

I feel like I bombed that 1 minute share out of our object. I don’t even know what I said, but I don’t feel that I related it to leadership very well. It’s easier to type than to talk and my nerves got the best of me. 😦