I’m don’t watch much TV, so when I turned up to an IPAC Christmas in Winter function hosted last night by my friend Paul Gordon, I had no clue who Justice Crew were... apparently I’m about the person in this position, since the Crew blitzed the semi-finals on Australia’s Got Talent this week.

Anyway, what really struck me about this group of young guys is that they’re really out there creating their own luck.  They were introduced last night by their mentor and choreographer, Maurice June, who at age 18 set up a dance school to support and encourage homeless and disadvantaged kids.  The ten men he has handpicked to form Justice Crew each have their own stories, but suffice to say nothing in life has been handed to them on a platter.  Yet they are out there, doing their own thing in their own unique way and absolutely turning heads in the process.

What could we learn from this to apply in our own leadership journeys?

1. Regardless of where you’ve come from, you’re responsible for where you end up.  You can write your own ending the story, if you want to.
2. Do the work until you’re really good, so good that you stand head and shoulders above your peers (think Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours!)
3. If you wait to be noticed, it might never happen.  Go find your forum - like Justice Crew have done on Australia’s Got Talent - and put yourself out there.
4. Surround yourself with good people - at least as good as you, if not better.
5. Dare to be different - the more different, the better because you’ll keep everyone else guessing!

And by the way, thank you to Paul for inviting me along last night - this was one night I won’t forget for a long time to come.

[For those of you who like me have better things to do than watch the box, you may not be aware of just how amazing this group of young male streetdancers are - so check this out]