“Imagine all of the past versions of yourself – standing right in front of you – they are all smiling, looking back at you – they are so proud of you.” The other day, I was scrolling through my social media feed and couldn’t help but fixate on the text above. I’m not sure who wrote this sentiment; I searched for the author but came up empty-handed. Still, it got me thinking about all the different versions of me. Where was I? Where am I now? Where do I want to be? Have you ever found yourself asking the same questions?”

It inspired me to think about the people who believed in me and recognized the leader living inside me. It also made me think about a time I was invited to speak on a panel and share with other educators and leaders about my story and the path that led me to leadership. I remember finding myself looking across a bustling, standing room only room, surrounded by influential educators from different backgrounds. There was upbeat music playing to set the tone for a moment of reflection as I pondered how I reached this point in my career, the pivotal role of those who believed in my potential, and the significance of the previous roles and current role I’m serving in.

These questions circled my mind in a matter of seconds:  How did I get here? Who helped me recognize my potential and why didn’t others? When did I become a person of influence? Am I supposed to be here?   The energy in the room was palpable and the audience’s backgrounds in education were vast. There were educators ranging from the novice teacher who may have been exploring her own path and potential in education to the veteran teacher leaders and administrators looking for a dose of inspiration and invigoration. They were all there fostering a sense of support and empowerment. Although it was clear that the room was overflowing, it did not deter more and more educators from walking in and standing along the perimeter of the space or taking their seat on the floor – the only space available.

And then we started. One leader on the panel opened the session by talking about how leadership can be challenging and the importance of finding other leaders to support you through it all. One by one, educators, some whom I had just met shared their stories with the room, their path to leadership with vulnerability and grace. One story was rooted in perseverance as this leader battled an illness at the beginning of her principalship, another talked about how it took her years of interviewing and battling rejection until finding the right fit. Another shared the challenges of navigating motherhood and leadership. I was hanging onto their every word and so was the audience. Later on, the panel opened the conversation to other participants, as many felt compelled and empowered to share their personal stories about their own path to leadership. I think the discussion could have easily lasted all day because people lingered in the room to approach each leader and thank them for their courage. There were a lot of connections made in that hour, along with lots of tears shed, and the birth of the next generation of leaders in the making.

When I reflected on this experience, I noticed that all of the educational leaders had something in common. They were all models for the next generation leaders who authentically gave recognition to others . Their lens on leadership did not project a feeling of “I”, but a collective responsibility of “we.”

When it was my turn to speak that day, I shared a part of my story, “Getting to the place I am now did not come easily. It took some pretty amazing people to recognize my strengths and pick me up during the times when I had fallen down. There have been many remarkable moments in my career, but there have also been some disappointments. You see, you need those moments too. They support your personal evolution, your path to transformation. They help you see that happiness doesn’t just exist in where we are, it lives in what we have to do to get there.”

So I ask, Where are you now and where do you want to be? In the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, he says, “Your life bends in the direction of your habits. Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.” When I reflect on my past and present experiences, I often ask myself, Who is the leader you wish to become, Lauren? My answer is I wish to become the leader I always needed.

No matter where your journey takes you, your actions create a collection of stories that can positively impact others. So, as you continue to navigate your path and conquer the ebbs and flows of the journey, continue to “imagine all of the past versions of yourself – standing right in front of you – they are all smiling, looking back at you – they are so proud of you.” And so am I.