The Wall Waits
- Paul Wind
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
Article written and provide by Wes Hill, Fire Chief - Fort Riley Kansas
I’ve come to realize distractions are not always the enemy. Sometimes they arrive as coffee shops, late-night thoughts, an unplanned book, or a walk you almost skipped. They come not to derail, but to redirect.
Today was one of those days. Distracted, yes, but not lost.
Caught by a single artist. No audience. No fanfare. Just him, the wall, a dream, and his purpose.
Watching him work, I saw leadership. Leadership is not about control. It’s about creating something that doesn’t exist yet. The artist sketched lines that only he could see. To others, it looked like marks on a wall. Raw, incomplete, and meaningless. But to him, it was already real. Leadership works the same way. You see the vision before anyone else does. You carry it until it begins to take shape. At first, it’s yours alone. Over time, it becomes the path others will follow.
Leaders are builders. You don’t always stand in the spotlight, you build the stage for others to step onto. You make decisions and take actions that may seem small but have lasting influence. Often the quiet, unseen work matters most.
Like art, leadership can feel lonely. Not as punishment, but as proof you’re on a path few will choose. The late nights, unanswered questions, the weight of carrying a vision when no one else is watching. What looks like solitude is really sharpening. Stillness teaches you patience, resilience, and the strength to influence without noise.
Leadership is not loud. Real influence is steady and consistent. Found in small actions, private commitments, and choices made when no one is keeping score.
"The Goal is to contribute with strategic influence, not just add more noise." - Chief Wes Hill
If you are burning the midnight oil, you’re not alone. Keep painting when no one is watching. What you create remains long after you’re gone. The wall waits. The work continues. And tomorrow, the sketch becomes structure, and the vision begins to breathe.
Now go lead. Paint your vision. Shape the space. Step forward!
Wes Hill, Fire Chief
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