Make Something Good: The Courage to Be Original

Make Something Good: The Courage to Be Original

In a world that rewards efficiency and imitation, it takes courage to be original. My friend Ralph Marston wrote, “Make something good. Make something valuable.” Those words speak to the heart of authentic leadership — to create rather than copy, to give rather than take, to make a difference rather than just maintain the status quo.

We’ve become masters at consuming — information, technology, even other people’s ideas. But creation is where transformation happens. Whether you’re leading a team, serving an association, or inspiring a community, the most lasting impact you can make comes from what you create — your ideas, your kindness, your personal touch.

That’s why I love the handmade card pictured here. It’s simple, colorful, imperfect — and unforgettable. It says, “Your kindness was better than a pot of gold.” You can’t buy that kind of sincerity at a store. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t about prepackaged solutions; it’s about original thought, authentic connection, and the willingness to put a piece of yourself into what you do.

Three Leadership Brushstrokes

1. Awareness – See the Opportunity to Create
True leaders don’t wait for inspiration — they see it in the needs of others. Awareness invites us to step out of autopilot and recognize where our creativity and compassion can make a difference.

2. Resourcefulness – Use What You Have
Great leadership doesn’t require grand gestures or endless resources. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is write your own note, share your own story, or offer your own words of encouragement.

3. Timing – Act Before the Moment Passes
Ideas fade if not acted upon. When inspiration hits, move. Send the message, take the initiative, build the bridge. Creativity is the fuel — action is the spark.

A Closing Challenge

What gives life — and leadership — its richest meaning isn’t what we accumulate, but what we originate.
So don’t just repeat what’s been done before. Dare to create something of your own — a new idea, a thoughtful gesture, or a personal note that reminds someone they matter.

Because in the end, originality is the purest form of leadership.