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The Walk You Set: Leadership That Lasts a Lifetime

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Have you ever wondered whom your walk each day impacts? Are you a leader in your community or your church? How about in your family?
Do you set the pace that everyone else follows?
What does it mean to be a leader?
As I look back at those in my life who inspired me to follow them, only a handful have made a lasting difference.
Throughout my education, certain teachers, by talent and care, urged me forward in my studies. I cannot point to one who became a leader to me, though I am sure many were leaders in their own right—among their peers, their groups, and their families.

Among my childhood peers, some drew others to march to the beat of their drum. I never really found their beat. I walked my own path.
As I grew, I watched national and international leaders muster people to inspiring speeches, lofty goals, and hopeful aspirations. At times my heart beat with the excitement of their visions of what lay ahead.
Even as I found my footing as a Christian and dedicated my childhood efforts to following Christ, there were Sunday School teachers, pastors, and youth leaders who made the effort. Still, it was hard to find a worldly leader I could look to who furthered my faith.I have always heard that hindsight is 20/20. When I look back at my life, the greatest leaders in it were my father and my mother.
Through their example I learned to care for others, to show compassion for those less fortunate, to follow a path that cannot be questioned, and to live a life that puts others’ needs above my own.
Problem after problem, trial after trial, their steady and true approach to living provided a pattern upon which leadership flourishes.
Others stepped forward as well. My scoutmaster was a tremendous example. My first employer taught me how to encourage loyalty in those you hope to inspire. I saw fine leadership, too, in musical and entertainment mentors who fostered my talents.
No matter whom you have looked to in learning how to lead your family, your church, or your community, are your choices reflecting the best that leadership can offer?
Jesus provided a wonderful template for servant leadership and for passing that legacy from generation to generation.
What are you passing on to your children—and to the children of your community?
Will they look back and remember you as a leader, or as an example of what not to be?
Read more of Randall’s writings in his books in our store.

What happened to people of character?

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When I was a child, my parents instilled in me a lengthy list of expected behaviors for a man in training.
Behaviors such as stand when shaking a man’s hand and look him in the eyes, a woman’s hand is taken not shaken, a promise made is a promise kept, speak truth and dispel lies of others, secrets are meant to be kept; and stand against a bully and protect those they seek to harm. These are just a few of years of lessons intertwined in my raising to adulthood.
I was also a devotee of the Arthurian legends and codes of honor adhered by early knights and heroes who were inspired by those stories. Ultimately, I discovered many of my ancestors were among those inspirees.
In addition, a great influence were the films and television shows of the 1940s-1960s which taught us lessons and provided models in life to inspire us to be more than we are such as “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Ozzie and Harriet,” “The Rifleman,” and so many more.
With each passing year, I look out upon those who find their way into our view, so-called celebrities, politicians, athletes and so many whom this world now places upon some kind of pedestal. I have to shake my head as I see images, films and tv shows, hear comments they say, see actions they do, and wonder what has become of the men and women who once inspired us, who led us to greater heights in life and various fields of endeavor.
I know there are many good and decent people who live their lives and make a difference in their communities. I have met many. As a journalist, I have tried to tell their stories. Unfortunately, those are not the people who our culture uplifts onto pedestals.
I long for the days of heroes who strived to lives of character. No matter what the reality, the public face was kept appropriate so not to destroy how the public perceived who they were.
We have actors, singers, and social media celebrities who wallow in excessive behavior that reflects an inability to understand right from wrong, indulgence in sin, and existing in pettiness.
I have seen elected officials whose deeds are not honorable, words are not true, who are accoladed in their efforts as their actions hurt those they serve.
I do not know what the answer is, except, the future of character is within our hands. We have the ability to make ourselves better in how we carry ourselves and interact with other people. We can raise the next generation with better role models and stronger life influencing guidance that uplifts others rather than tearing down. We can turn off the movies and television shows that degrade the quality of our lives and not support the advertisers which make those possible.
Any who feel they are among those whose character reflects all things good and inspiring, should place themselves in situations so others can see their lives and be inspired. Run for political office; become involved in major activities and events in your community; take on a community problem and solve it; and mentor youth and adults in talents where you excel.
Modern culture is only our friend if it reflects our expectations of what life should be. Shape it, don’t let it shape you and yours.