Day 8 - The Cliffs of Moher

We departed early this morning to get a head start on the drive to see the Cliffs of Moher. It's a two hour journey from Galway through Irish country on narrow winding roads. Gary, our tour guide, lectured in detail for two hours straight about all of the scenery we passed such as thatched roofs, stone walls and tower houses (commonly misconstrued as castles).  When we arrived at the Cliffs we had such unbelievable Irish weather that you could even see the Aran Islands. The Cliffs are a breathtaking sight. They really make you feel small and weak in the presence of such massive shale and sandstone formations. There are no barriers as you walk the muddy path which follows the edge of the cliffs, approximately 1-2 meters from the 500 foot drop. One misplaced step and you could be one of the 18 - 20 people per year that perish from the fall. But it was worth the careful walk to see such natural beauty.

A quick detour for a late Irish breakfast and we were back on the road with Gary as he drove us through an alternate route on the way back to Galway for alternate scenery. This was a stunning drive along the coast and through Irish country. We stopped briefly at an area near Fanore which had oddly shaped limestone formations mixed with perfectly green grass. The drive was littered with grazing animals, quaint country homes, small villages and opulent views of the water. This was well worth the early morning rise and long commute down narrow winding roads.

My leadership observation today is the concept of leading by example. When you're a leader, you can never take a day off. People are always watching and following no matter the setting. You have to take responsibility and do the right thing by your team even if it means setting aside personal preferences. As a leader, you are accountable 24/7, personally and professionally.