Today we are back in Rome and off to a more relaxing start. Our tour starts a little later than usual so we were not rushed for breakfast or to meet our tour party.
As we prepared to disembark, I had an opportunity to reflect on our trip and our wonderful experiences.
This is my sixth and final post on leadership lessons learned from tour guides during our summer vacation cruise of the Western Mediterranean region.
Once we cleared customs, we boarded our bus to Rome and we met Anthony, the first of two tour guides.
As our bus transported to our last port, excitement and anticipation for our last city began to build. I imagined the city I had seen on TV, in movies, magazines, and books. Roma, Italian for Rome, is an iconic city, whose history spans more than two and a half thousand years! In fact, Rome is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe.
Modern day Rome is a blend of the old and the new. As you enter the city, Rome is a typical city filled with neighborhoods, trash, graffiti, and traffic. However, there are hints of greatness sprinkled across the landscape. While the bus weaved through the streets toward the train station, which in itself was an architectural delight, to pick up our second tour guide, I was fascinated by the growth and development of the city.
Over the centuries, Rome has developed into a global city, integral to the global economic system. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with monuments, museums, and an independent country within the city boundaries. In addition to hosting the 1960 Summer Olympics, Rome is the home of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
When we entered the heart of the city, it was absolutely spectacular. From the Coliseum and the Arch of Constantine, to the Pantheon, and then to Vatican City, the city takes your breath away. One moment you’re looking at an apartment building and across the street is Hercules’ temple. As we navigated the narrow streets to the Trevi Fountain, I wondered why did we have two tour guides?
During my conversation with Anthony, he revealed he was a teacher and was in training as a tour guide. As an educator, his response peaked my interest. Why a tour guide? He stated his desire to increase his income. Next question, why two tour guides? Anthony was learning from an experience tour guide.
Growth must be intentional. It doesn’t just happen. Why is it important for leaders to grow? Jim Rohn said “In order to do more, I’ve got to be more.” As the leader, the growth of our organization is directly related to our personal growth.
How do we continue to grow? In his book Today Matters, Maxwell offers four specific strategies to help us grow:
- Set a goal to grow in some way every day
- Have a time and a plan to grow
- Archive what you learn
- Apply what you learn (2004)
Anthony was implementing Maxwell’s four steps. His commitment and hard work was paying off. Anthony was on the road to achieving his goal.
The greatest of all insights is that we cannot be tomorrow what we do not do today.”
– John Maxwell.
As we settled into our hotel room, my husband and I agreed, Rome was our new favorite city and we would definitely return for an extended visit.
As a leader, what is your plan to grow? Tell me about it…
Your friend,
Kim
There are those that seek to increase their wealth of knowledge and to have a fine tuned uderstanding of whatever their aspirations are. As I have done throughout most of my life looking through many doors of opportunity, we are living in a time where the more we know is relevant, the question is who will benefit from your passion and your effort to obtain knowledge to make a difference?