Yesterday, I was sat with my youngest, Lewi 10, doing some literacy homework. We were working on words beginning with an ‘L’.

I had a realisation at that moment, I really like things that begin with L, maybe because I ‘like’ the sound of that ‘letter’, maybe I even ‘love’ the sound of it. I also really like words with an obvious sounding ‘L’ within, or even better, double ‘L”s….like I ‘love’ ‘jelly’…yep I accept there are some not so good words like ‘loser’ but generally for me an ‘L’ is a ‘letter’ that gives ‘light’…..

So on that note, two describing words that I have been pondering much recently and have realised that they are very much intrinsic to each other and intrinsic to who I am is…. ‘learner’ and ‘leader’.

For me, and for some reason, ‘learner’ comes before ‘leader’ in nearly all contexts…..yet I think both words are meant to sit together like… siblings.

I have recently been asked, although I prefer the word ‘blessed’, probably because it has an ‘L’ , to be part part of the amazing Clore social leadership programme, founded by Dame Mary Marsh.  Being part of Clore Social 2014 means I am now a ‘fellow’ of Clore….another cool double ‘L’.

The programme will mean for 2 years I will have the opportunity to stick some ‘L’ plates on my back and grow as a ‘learner – leader’ …although I feel I don’t think I will ever remove the ‘L’ plates.

I have realised (light-bulb) that if I stop learning, I stop (effectively)leading.

This blog will, for now, become a reflection of that journey alongside other  observations.

A few words to leave you with after my first meetings with the other amazing seventeen fellows for 2014.

… humility….vulnerability…..listening…..smiling ….floodlights…salt (of the earth).

By the way I asked Lewi what he though of ‘L”s, he says they are cool….because of ‘Liverpool FC’ and ‘Lollipops’. Mmmm….

 Me..learner-leader with U10’s (deep end)