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Inspirational Piece

Step, Sisters

As highly effective leaders, we’ve learned we step across
that to move ourselves time lost
to move others, habits draining
we do so one step at a time: traps laid
lines drawn;
we step up
to rise to a challenge
to access potential we step away
to accept responsibility to (slowly) breathe…(fully) sustain
to offer ourselves as the example; or to take a principled stand (.)
or to (even) show that the shoe
we step out no longer fits—
of zero-sum zones or (perhaps) that we’re simply ready
of thoughtless routine to remove it;
of reactive landscapes
(we step out
of our own way);

we step in
to build relationships, mold teams we step aside
to listen closely, consider earnestly for those we’ve nurtured (and noted), those growing, so
to value truth, relish differences very eager to step into
to cultivate our very roles
creativity as highly effective leaders
as inquiry-immersed who have shown
solution seekers. that to move themselves (and)
to move others,
we step back they do so
to reflect
reimagine one step
to delegate at a time.
dig in
to prioritize
pause
(in diplomacy)
to linger
to let others shine;

Leslie Giraldo, currently a member of Alpha Omega Chapter in Georgia State Organization and a DKG ISF Speaker, is an ELA Specialist
at Okefenokee RESA, a professional development support service system. In her role there, Giraldo strives to empower teachers as
they work to impact their students to become better readers, writers, and thinkers. She has served in various roles in Georgia State
Organization as well as in her previous and current chapters. lesliegiraldo@gmail.com

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