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Leadership Lessons from a Brooklyn Homecoming

When I got home last night, I surprised my mom. She was a bit upset, but overall, she was glad to see me. I also surprised my friend Lydia. I called her and told her I was still upstate at school, and when I got off the phone, I rang her bell. She almost killed me, hugging me so hard! My friends and I are very close; there’s not much we wouldn’t do for each other. I value friendship very strongly because real friends are rare. 


I didn’t do much but spend time with my friends, just hanging out. The funny thing about home is that Brooklyn changed, and not for the better. Everything seems to have gotten worse. It’s really sad because I never noticed how bad my neighborhood was until I left for college and returned. I guess I never really paid attention to how dangerous the city really was because I grew up there. Anyway, I don’t plan on coming back to Brooklyn after I graduate.

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Have you ever had a moment when you returned to a familiar place only to realize how much things had changed? That’s exactly what I experienced during a surprise visit home in college. I surprised my mom and my friend Lydia, and while the reunions were filled with hugs and smiles, something else stood out—Brooklyn wasn’t the same. It had changed, and unfortunately, not for the better.


One of the key takeaways from that visit was the importance of strong relationships. Surprisingly, my mom and Lydia reminded me how much I value true friendship. Real friends are rare, and that closeness, that willingness to drop everything for each other, is something to be cherished. In leadership, this lesson translates directly to the importance of building genuine relationships with your team. When trust is established, and you know you can rely on each other, the collective strength of your organization increases tenfold.


Returning to Brooklyn also opened my eyes to things I hadn’t noticed before. The neighborhood I grew up in suddenly looked different, more dangerous. It’s funny how you don’t notice certain things until you step away and return with fresh eyes. This experience taught me the value of perspective. As leaders, we often need to step back and assess situations from a new vantage point. When we do, we might notice areas that need attention or opportunities for growth that were previously hidden.


Realizing how much Brooklyn had changed also led me to a difficult decision: I decided not to return after graduation. It was tough but necessary for my growth and safety. Leadership often requires us to make similar tough decisions. We must evaluate our surroundings, recognize when a situation no longer aligns with our goals or values, and be willing to pivot, even if it means leaving behind something familiar.


The lessons I learned from that surprise visit home go beyond a nostalgic trip down memory lane. They are reminders that leadership isn’t just about making big decisions in boardrooms or schools—it’s about the personal experiences that shape us, the relationships we build, and the perspectives we gain along the way. So, next time you reflect on your journey, remember that every experience, big or small, has the potential to shape your leadership in powerful ways.


Remember—authentic leadership starts with the values you hold dear and the decisions you make based on those values.


Keep going.



 
 
 

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