An organization will periodically engage in a campaign that focuses on fundamentals. The bedrock principles and skills necessary to achieve objectives, are put at the forefront of their practices, as they kickstart a pursuit toward excellence. I was involved, during my sales career, with numerous initiatives labeled, “back to basics.” They were a clarion song to get everyone on the same page, as one team of talented individuals, forging ahead to accelerate achievement.

My generation speaks about the old school, which contains more than a reference to nostalgia. There were values and commitments we made that were universal and should be regarded as timeless in our pursuit of living up to personal and professional expectations.

We are role models and must be aware of the fact that we are setting examples for our peers and the next generation of leaders. These old-school leadership principles should be brought into the limelight and used to improve our relationships, achieve our dreams, and improve the human condition, by acting positively and optimistically.

 
 
 Old School                         
 Old school is a working philosophy;
 Authentic, real without hypocrisy;
 A strategy for life and survival;
 A legacy to teach new arrivals.
  
 Old School, we are from the day we were born.
 With methods, that are time tested and worn.
 We fought and struggled, as we learned to spar,
 To work the system, so they raised the bar.
  
 Old School is determined by how we felt;
 Skillfully playing the hands we were dealt.
 We are classics that laid a foundation,
 They shaped a culture and built a nation.
  
 Our dances have a different groove,
 We are originals patented and smooth.
 You sample examples of our moves,
 Our repertoire is new and improves.
  
 We branded our system as Old School,
 For you to build on and follow the rules.
 The rules are structure to internalize;
 To help you learn and then improvise. 
  
 The Old School has powers of deduction.  
 We can explain the journey, as we go.
 The roads are always under construction.
 We are the guides to teach you what we know.
  
 We are ancestors who can be trusted.
 We played the roles of outlaws and outcast.
 The living legacies that adjusted
 Through practices that have worked in the past.
   
 We are Old School and we have explored
 And experienced, we’ve plunged and we’ve soared.
 We are Old School and should not be ignored;
 We have wisdom you may wish to record.    
  
 Copyright © 2017 Orlando Ceaser