When Leadership Returns Home

When I was growing up, I didn't see leadership. I was raised in an alcoholic family. I learned how to take care of myself out of necessity.

In high school, college, and in church I was given leadership roles. I don't know that I was really a leader. I was simply committed to excellence. There is a difference. Leadership is concerned about the care of others, while pursuing excellence promotes me.

After Sam was around the age of 1, I held several key leadership positions. A good friend took me to a leadership conference in Atlanta. It shaped me to be a different man. It shaped me to be a true leader.

I am proud to be Sam's dad. As he grows it is important to pour into his life well. This week I saw the fruits of that. Thursday night I took him to dinner in order to have an intentional conversation. This is often difficult because, to a 12 year old, the most significant thing in life is food itself. But, Friday morning before school he asked me if he could take his friend over to a restaurant to talk about how they have been treating other kids. What courage. What a leader.

After school he said that they went, but he didn't get to talk to his friend about it because another boy from school came and sat with him––but two shakes and a plate of fries was only $6.35! But, Sam assured me he was going to call his friend to have the conversation. And he did. I stepped to a place in the house where I could hear him. He said to his friend, "You know how we've been getting in trouble? Well, we should try not to get in trouble. We should be Awesome Bros! Let's treat others kinder." What courage. What a leader. I am so proud to be his dad.