Litter and Leadership: What Small Acts Reveal

Notes to Young Leaders | 11 August 2025

A note to young leaders.

On litter and leadership.

If I see someone deliberately litter, I immediately lose respect for them.

If I see someone accidentally litter and fail to pick it up after noticing – I would never hire them.

But if I see someone pick up litter that isn’t theirs, I silently mark that person as a leader.

Leaders have a strong sense of their principles. That’s what sets them apart.

And every time you stand up for your principles – you believe in yourself a little more, and you grow your self-esteem.

Keep growing your self-esteem in this way … and you’ll have leadership thrust upon you.