It's not the destination, it's the journey!
God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Faith is stepping out when the path is dark, trusting He’ll light the way.
From the Open Road to Leadership: My Unconventional Journey and the Birth of H.O.P.E.
"For I Know the Plans: From Lost to Leader - The Journey Continues...
Part 2: Where Are You Going? Values & Vision
God has a way of teaching us through unexpected turns, and my leadership journey began without a clear path. In Part 1, I shared how a cross-country adventure and a firing sparked 25 years of lessons that birthed H.O.P.E.—Helping Other People Excel. But here’s a hard-earned truth: a leader with no one following isn’t leading—they’re just walking alone. If you don’t know where you’re going, how can anyone trust you enough to follow?
H.O.P.E. Helping Other People Excel
I learned this years ago with my friend Calvin Ivey. “I’m going to the Grand Canyon!” he said with that sly grin, knowing it’d light a fire in me. “Not without me!” I shot back, and just like that, we were packed and rolling—a shared vision launching us on a 9,500-mile, 29-day trek across 17 states. Back in 1999, I’d stumbled into a Harley-Davidson dealership, completely out of my depth. When they handed me a manager’s role, I said yes, but I was unqualified—no training, no experience, just a curt “Figure it out” from the woman I replaced. I could’ve thrown up my hands and quit, but something stirred in me: I knew I could find help. And God, in His providence, made sure I did.
You don't just go into the next season of life, you grow into it!
That help came through Joyce Meyer and John C. Maxwell. I didn’t know them personally—never met a soul with their kind of wisdom—but their books and teachings became my lifeline. Joyce gave me grit through faith; Maxwell drilled in the nuts and bolts. “Leadership is influence,” he said, and it sank deep: I wasn’t born for this, I had to grow into it. I pored over their lessons—vision, values, trust—melding them with the real-life survival I’d picked up, like that journey with Calvin. Our friendship rested on one unshakable value: it came first. If he wanted to push on and I was spent, he’d pause for me. If I needed a break and he was raring to go, I’d adjust. That mutual respect carried us through every mile, showing me that leadership starts with what you hold dear.
Value-based leadership will anchor you.
It’s the same in any role—business, ministry, life. You need values, non-negotiables that anchor you. Write them down: “We prioritize trust,” “We steward resources,” “We value others.” Every choice runs through them; without that, you’re adrift. Then comes vision. Calvin and I set our sights on the Grand Canyon—1,860 miles, 28 hours straight through. But expecting to make it that fast? We’d have been crushed. Rest, meals, setbacks—we planned for reality. Pick your goal: turn a financial slump around, unite a team. Give it time—achievable time. Rush it, and you’ll break trust and abort the mission. Hit it early, and you’ve built momentum on a foundation of trust. Overpromise and underdeliver only leaves wreckage.
Learn the principle of over-promising and under-delivering.
Chart the course next. What’s the risk of a shortcut? Who gets hurt if it fails? Can you shift gears if a better path opens? Say your budget’s bleeding—expenses up, revenue down. Vision: fix it. Value: stewardship. Goal: cut costs 20% in 12 months. Chasing sales without cuts skips the essentials—it won’t last. Share it clearly. Calvin and I planned pit stops to check our heads, our gear, our trust, tweaking as we went. Your team needs those check-ins—updates, talks—to stay on track.
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no!
Trust is the glue. I leaned on Calvin through 600-mile days—rain, heat, exhaustion—because I knew he’d steer us right. He leaned on me to watch his back. Leadership lives or dies on that: a culture where people feel safe to speak and step up. Lose trust, lose your team—it’s the most fragile gift a leader’s given. I started with nothing—no skills, no roadmap—but Joyce and John planted seeds through their coaching. I invested in learning, leaned on life’s lessons, and grew. We all need that—someone trustworthy who’s been there, lighting the way.
Let's ride! We're are ready!
So, where are you going? Is anyone following? Ground your vision in values, plan the journey, and keep your team close—because no one starts ready. The Grand Canyon was worth every step, and your journey will be too.
