"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet."
Theodore M. Hesburgh
As I sat in my office this afternoon overlooking our quad here at Western, I was overcome with this pounding thought..."When did I become the leader?"
I have always been told I have "leadership" qualities. I have always been told to be careful how I act as I influence many people around me, but lets be real for a second. Most of what adults tell you is to "persuade" or as I call it passively control you to get you to live a way they want you to. Most words are nothing but fluff & they don't carry much meaning to an adolescent.
That being said, here I sit in my black office chair, holding my daughter as I ponder when did I move from follower to leader? I remember being in school & idolizing 3 men. One was my youth pastor. He was always calm, cool, & collected. He always knew what to say, when to say it, & how to influence. He was, for all intent & purpose, the quintessential "cool" guy. Second was my principal/basketball coach. He always had an ear to hear my ramblings. He always had a knack to knock me off my high horse, yet make me feel like I'm the one who chose to get off. He always had a story or advice for everything & above all he treated me as an equal.
Third is my dad. Now my dad has always been an amazing man to me. Mysterious & stoic, yet provider & tender. I can't tell you the respect I had for my dad growing up hearing the stories of his upbringing & his journey through life. He went from a Marine to a guy who had to figure out to do with his life. My dad moved from courtesy clerk in a grocery store to store manager faster then most people finish an Associate Degree. He then saved enough money with my mom to buy numerous stores of their own. He was never a lazy man. He worked on our farm & yet in his off time found time for hobbies such as flying, skiing, boating, & golf. Some may look at my dad & say "He wans't the greatest dad. He did this, this & this, wrong." & I would tell you that you are exactly right. My dad wasn't perfect. We weren't this little 'Leave it to Beaver' family, but you have to know where a man comes from to see where he's going. From where my dad came from was incredible & where he took our family...I am in awe at his leadership. My Father will always be respected in my mind for reasons I could never begin to explain to you.
(In one final thought on my dad...He has battled pancreatic cancer over the past 5 years & has fought harder than any of us thought were possible. He is now fighting a new battle with liver disease. Dad, our love, prayer, & support are with you. We Love You!)
I have seen men lead me for years. I have seen men show me the way & always offer advice. Those men are still around me in some capacity or another. Because nothing has changed in my "following" I didn't ever look back to see if I was leading as well. I reflect on my job here at Western & it amazes me at the impact I carry every day. Today alone I had a young man seek me out to ask my opinion on his life. Who am I to give him life advice, but yet there I sat trying to steer him in a way that would lead him to success. I have become what everyone told me all along I was. I make an impact in students' lives everyday. My official title is Dorm Director/International Program Director/Student Council Director (long I know). However, what I realized my real title is? "Life Coach". I took a week off of work due to my surgery & it was amazing today, my first day back, how many people missed me or were genuinely concerned with my well being. Some I don't even interact with much, yet here they are asking me how I was doing & telling me they missed me.
Everyone wants & needs to be led by someone or something. The question is not if you're a leader or not. The question is who am I leading & to what? I try every day to live a life that points to Christ. I want my life to ooze with Jesus' character. What is your life showing? What are your actions telling someone behind you? If they emulate or imitate you, how will their results turn out?
Someone is following you...where are you taking them?
