Sharma shares power of words

The late calypsonian Garfield Blackman (Ras Shorty I) penned Watch Out My Children to sound a warning knell about the dangers of substance abuse. Leadership speaker Robin Sharma reminded primary school students about the power of words. He addressed about 350 children at the Growing Leaders session at Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s yesterday. The theme was Lead Without A Title and Grow Your Inner Leader.  Among the sponsors for the seminar were Guardian Media Ltd, First Citizens, Atlantic and Arcelor Mittal. Sharma said: “It’s the words you use when you talk to one another. Use words that inspire. Every word you use is powerful.”

He urged them to read the biographies of powerful people like the late Nelson Mandela’s (Long Walk To Freedom), Mother Teresa and Mahatma Ghandi.  Born in Albania, Eastern Europe,  Teresa was venerated as the “Saint of the Gutters” due to her work among India’s indigents. The underlying message was they had made original contributions which improved other people’s lives. Quoting poet Oscar Wilde, he said: “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” 

Sharma’s Grow Your Inner Leader advice

• Get clear on a dream

• Don’t listen to people who laugh at you

• Be a great friend

• Live to read and learn

• Deal with your fears

• You are special