Have you ever waited at a railroad crossing and marveled at the graffiti messages written on the shipping containers and box cars going by? I like to try to figure out the intricate words created with a can, or cans, of spray paint and someone’s imagination. Invariably, even with the slowest moving trains and my best efforts, the cars go by, and the message disappears down the track along with any understanding I hoped to gain.

Sometimes I wonder if other people struggle to get the message too. 

A few Sundays ago in New York City, after church services, brunch and a trek across Central Park, I had an opportunity to study some masterful graffiti created by “Strictly Kings & Better” at the Graffiti Hall of Fame. There, we saw a dozen or more panels by different artists. Here is an example:
 

It is bold, creative, catchy, brief and colorful. The artist is obviously very talented, and just by inclusion here, at the top of his or her craft. He or she invested considerable time in creating a work of art.

But I can’t find the message.

I studied the original. I looked and looked at the picture. Despite these efforts, I still cannot discern what it says. If you can figure it out, let me know, and I can send you a few more for your talented interpretation if you're up to the challenge.

Leaders can have the same problem. They take the time to create and communicate a bold, introspective message. Yet, the message never achieves its purpose.

There are many reasons the message fails or is partially missed. It can fall flat because of too much other noise that is perhaps unaddressed. It can be a great message to the wrong audience, and they leave feeling misunderstood and confused. Sincere intentions can sometimes be heard as platitudes or patronization. Attempts at humor can fall flat, or worse. When the communication is one-way, without dialogue, the message can be missed completely or be completely misunderstood. It is a sad thing to put so much into something like communication, with so much riding on it, for the message to be missed.

For me, like in the graffiti above, I sometimes just need a good interpreter. When getting the message is important, it requires everyone involved working together to get to understanding. So, sometimes it takes extra effort and time on everyone’s part for understanding of the message to happen.

Back to New York, gratefully, I was able to get the message at least part of the time. Here’s one for those of us who strive for excellence in public service:
 

If you can’t see the message, I’ll be glad to interpret this one. It’s something we should all be intent upon as we L.E.A.D. !