Reflections of Leadership: Tobacco, Magnolias, and a Cowboy

By David Walden

If readers are looking for a book chock-full of graphs, charts, and statistics about leadership, this book will not be for them. Instead, if one is looking for a book filled with real-life stories about leadership, then you are holding it in your hands. This book represents David's recollections of others who helped shape his personal views about leadership and how to influence others. Some of the lessons taught to David were painful, but they were enduring lessons that David continues to impart to others on a daily basis. You will read of some of his former high school and college teachers and classmates and how they altered David's way of thinking about leadership and personal motivation. His encounters with a former president and a former professional football quarterback will command the reader's attention. David has a unique ability to convey a personal story in such a way that readers are captivated, amused, and delighted. His preferred groups to address are law enforcement, educators, church groups, and those individuals who desire to become more effective and capable leaders. For further information and to learn how to secure David as a guest speaker, please contact David P. Walden 3018 Old Minden Road, Suite 1108 Bossier City, LA 71112 Phone [phone] [e-mail]

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640288812

Book preview

Introduction

What has been the motivation to write this book on leadership? First, I must blame (actually thank) John Maxwell, internationally known public speaker and author. This project has been on my bucket list for years, but I have always found reasons not to make it become a reality. After reading Maxwell’s most recent book Intentional Living, it occurred to me that I could no longer defer on this project. John Maxwell has a unique approach when it comes to motivating people to strive for success. I thank him for his efforts in helping me reach for a level of accomplishment that might have otherwise remained elusive for the rest of my life.

Several years ago, as I was preparing a speech on leadership, I wondered what Google would have to say about leadership. Specifically, I wanted to know what Google would say in response to the three words: lack of leadership. The answer from Google was absolutely astonishing. I do not recall the precise number, but there were thousands and thousands of hits in response to those three words. Some comments were about a lack of leadership in schools. Others cited a dearth in leadership within the medical profession. Still others observed and railed over a perceived lack of leadership within the halls of local, state, or national government. It was clear that many, many people were disappointed with the lack of leadership in so many areas of work. Hence, the gospel of Google represents another compelling reason for the writing of this book. Hopefully, there will be signposts in this book that will point individuals to the path of capable leadership.

In addition to the external influence of Maxwell and Google, there are several very compelling reasons for authoring this book: namely, my desire to preserve a portion of my personal history, to share my own views of leadership, and to offer a special thanks to so many other leaders who have had such a profound influence on my life. I sincerely want to share my observations about leadership to those who desire a leadership role or to those who already occupy a leadership position.

To be called a leader can be esteeming, exhilarating, and at times, frightening! What you are about to read are reflections of some of my most joyous moments experienced as a leader. Too, you will soon discover that being a leader can be arduous and daunting work, and becoming a leader can, at times, prove to be quite embarrassing! Stay tuned. You will soon read some personal anecdotes this leader has never before shared with the public.

In my sixty-eight years of life on this planet, I have learned so much from leaders, many of them totally unaware that they were leaders and that they were motivating other people to reach for the finer things in life. I want to remember as much as I can while I can from those people. At my age, I have learned that if you need to do something, you better write it down, lest it not get done at all.

To illustrate, recently, my grandson and I went to the local Wal-Mart, and as usual, I asked him, Ty, on what row of vehicles do we park? Without hesitation, he said, Row 12, Pop, row 12. I taught him that. I told him several years ago that on any given parking lot, I always park on row 12. There’s nothing special about row 12. It’s just a row number that I chose at random. Why? I just don’t want to be confused about where my car is when I leave a store. I have seen too many shoppers roam a store parking lot dazed, if not in dire fear, as they attempt to find their car. So a reason for this writing effort is to park my memories of leadership and suggestions for improved leadership in a place where they can always be found by my grandchildren or anyone else—a book.

This book is another path of leadership instruction for my grandchildren. I want both of them to have a written chronicle of why I am, who I am, and what forces forged my views on leadership. If I fail to share with my grandchildren the basic leadership lessons others have taught me, shame on me.

Good leaders, as we shall soon see, are not just those elected to public office. They are not just those who direct a Fortune 500 company. They are also God-fearing parents, teachers, pastors, and so many more. I want my grandchildren to always be on the lookout for good leaders. I want them to be effective and capable leaders, and with the right role modeling from others, that will happen.

Last, this book is a testament to individuals who have made giantlike differences in my life. You will see their names and hear of their stories later. My favorite definition of the word leader is one who influences others. So the stories cited in this book will reveal just how these people so profoundly influenced my life. To them, I offer a very belated but sincere thank you.

I believe it is fair to note that some people have an aversion to being called a leader, whether it is in the field of ministry, sports, politics, or business. To some, it might be a bit embarrassing to be dubbed a leader of anything or anyone. Still others might view themselves as just too inadequate to be singled out as a person of influence—a leader. However, I can think of no greater compliment than to be called a leader unless it is that of a Christian leader. So to the readers of this book who sincerely want to be more effective leaders, I ask you to set aside any preconceived notions of personal unworthiness and journey with me throughout this book to meet so many kind and calm people who not only affected my life but also the lives of so many others. They, just like you and I strive to be, were humble people, but people who were determined to make a difference in the lives they touched. I know they surely made a difference in mine.

As I am writing this introduction of the book, I am recalling a recent counseling session with a young lady, age fourteen, who, unless things dramatically and quickly change in her life, might not be with us much longer. Truthfully, I cannot relate to anything she told me. From literal hunger, to verbal abuse, to an utter lack of parental encouragement, I could not relate to her sad story. I could not envision as a child having to run away from home as she has done countless times. After she told me why she had run away so often, she asked me what I would have done in her situation. Without hesitating, I said I would probably have run, just as she did. I also recommended that she keep running until she found the loving and caring arms of some adult who can provide nurturing and the meeting for all of her needs. No, I did not encourage her to run to anyone, anywhere. Specifically, I said run to law enforcement, a concerned loved one, a hospital, a school counselor. Regardless, find that person or persons who can lend assistance and find them as quickly as possible! There is an analogy between this young lady’s plight and those who ardently want to be more effective and capable leaders.

Aspiring leaders should seek out people who can mentor or coach them to a higher level of effective leadership. They should sprint toward those people who can provide the nurturing that all good leaders must have. To me, it is clear that capable leaders are developed, not born. Just as I advised the young lady to do in the previous paragraph, aspiring leaders should run to those who have already been successful in leadership. They should run to those who can lend assistance in leadership development. They should listen to them, learn from them, monitor their progress, and develop their own pathway to success as a leader.

The Roots Are Deep

This book represents the culmination of experiences that have taught me so much about the art of leadership. It is important to me that readers have a basic understanding of where and how I got my training in leadership. Yes, the academic credentials in leadership development were ultimately gained, but the beginning of my journey in the field of leadership originated with my parents and continued in the church. Then, as I matured, I began to notice in other individuals (actors, politicians, etc.) specific personal traits that appeared to be admirable, motivating, and worthy of being called good leadership traits. I kept a trained eye on my workplace supervisors, and I made mental notations of their strengths and how I could ultimately utilize those same strengths in my own leadership opportunities.

My historical roles of leadership have been varied—classroom teacher, school administrator, school district supervisor, director of a law enforcement academy, counselor in practice, public speaker, and all-round observer and admirer of people. In each of these roles, I learned and continue to learn something new about people and of myself. To me, that is a basic essential of leadership—to be willing to learn wherever you are and in whatever leadership role you occupy.

My roots and interest in leadership development are deep. I am blessed because I was given so many opportunities to learn from other people—people who had no idea that I was being mentored by them. There’s a message here. All leaders should know that someone is watching them, and these observers are either learning negative or positive things from them as they view leaders going about their daily routines.

A Classroom Teacher

I began teaching in 1969, and I left the teaching classroom in 1983. I should have never left teaching (more about that later), yet hardly a day goes by that some former student does not thank me for extending to them encouraging words, patience, or in some cases, mercy and grace. I am laughing out loud at that last one! You’ll understand what I mean in a few pages when the subject of my stunning (I use that word very loosely) college life is shared. But for now, suffice it to say, I learned as a young adult that the words mercy and grace typify the very word leadership. As difficult as it might occasionally be, effective leaders, in my view, are patient, encouraging, and merciful.

Leaders Motivate, Motivate, Motivate

As a classroom teacher, I quickly learned that I had to stay ahead of the curve. If I were going to motivate my American history students, I would have to do much more that stay one chapter ahead of them. Oh, I had to do much more. I would have to be innovative, borderline unpredictable! I had to keep them upright and awake!

Part of my American history teaching mandate was to teach a six-week unit on Americanism versus Communism. I loved teaching that unit. It was during the Cold War, and most of my students did not have a clue who Lenin, Trotsky, or Castro were. I had to be patient with them, but I still had an obligation to teach the unit as aptly as I could.

As an introduction to the unit, I announced to the class that they were about to receive a listing of American Communists, some of whom were active in politics or the media or movie industry. I began the listing with some of the names with which the students might have been familiar. Then it happened. In almost a yell, I called the name of Paul Harvey. Then I called another name, and then another. Finally, with no other names to cite, I asked, Do any of you have any questions about this listing? For the years that I taught this unit and, in particular, this specific exercise, I can recall only very few times that some wise, alert student asked me a question about the listing. It was very disconcerting when they said nothing.

After presenting this exercise, I would emphatically state, "I’m sorry you had no questions. Why? Because I deceived you. I was hoping that you would call my hand on this listing of names. You did not. Perhaps you were fearful of challenging me, or even worse, you saw nothing I said worthy of challenging. Listen, Paul Harvey (now deceased) is no