I get it honestly.
Today’s Read Time: 3.6 minutes
I’ve always enjoyed writing—it forces me to organize my thoughts, define my principles, and ensure my words align with my actions. It’s a discipline of clarity and integrity, a way to hold myself accountable to what I say and what I do. And if I had to pinpoint where that comes from, I’d say I get it honestly.
My dad, a Circuit Judge in the 5th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, has built a reputation for delivering meaningful (if lengthy) speeches. He was an English major long before he was a lawyer, and it shows in the way he crafts his words—deliberate, thoughtful, and anchored in something deeper than just the moment. Recently, he spoke at a candidate forum hosted by the NAACP about leadership and community, and since then, I’ve heard from many people about how much his words resonated. As I read through his speech, I knew I wanted to share it with you. His message wasn’t just about public service—it was about what it truly means to lead.
One line in particular struck me:
"Service itself must be character building."
It’s not enough, he said, to simply do some good every now and then. Leadership, whether in government, business, or community work, should refine us. It should stretch us. It should demand something more of us—not just for the sake of those we serve, but for our own integrity.
That’s a lesson I’ve carried with me in my own work. The best leaders I know aren’t just making decisions—they’re being shaped by them. They’re people who are willing to do hard things, to hold themselves to a higher standard, and to let the weight of responsibility make them better, not bitter.
The Handshake Still Matters
"We work hard. We say what we mean. We mean what we say. We value faith, devotion to family and community, freedom, independence, personal and fiscal responsibility, quiet charity, and the dignity of every person. And, here, a handshake still matters."
I love this because it speaks to something I’ve seen over and over again—the way real leadership is built on trust and relationship. Not flashy marketing. Not loud opinions. Not performative promises. Just trust.
In a world where it’s easy to be skeptical, where we question motives and wonder if people really mean what they say, leadership is about proving, day in and day out, that you are who you say you are. You build that trust in the small, everyday decisions. In the way you treat people when no one’s watching. In the way you follow through when you say you will. A handshake still matters—not because of the formality of it, but because of what it represents.
Tackling Challenges Requires More Than Just Good Intentions
"Tackling the challenges facing our communities is not easy. Worthwhile things seldom are. The people rightfully are watching, scrutinizing our actions and our omissions. The people are thirsty for quality governance. They want to be reminded of that distinctly American sentiment that theirs is a government that works for them, a government that reflects their values, a government that is them. They want leaders who stand up and make government stand out."
Let’s take this beyond the political realm—this applies to leadership in any space. People don’t just want leaders who talk a good game. They want leaders who actually show up.
In business, in community work, in leadership of any kind—people are paying attention. They’re watching what you do, what you don’t do, how you handle conflict, and whether you’re willing to make the hard calls. Leadership isn’t about making people like you—it’s about making things better.
That requires toughness. It requires civility. It requires, as my dad put it, the ability to accept responsibility for controversial and often unpopular decisions. It means being willing to try, to take risks, and to have the humility to course-correct when necessary.
Leadership, At Its Best, Lifts Others Up
"It is an honor and privilege to be called to public office—to demonstrate the good that government can do; to reaffirm the nobility of service; to strive every day to use the powers the people have vested in us to make clear, demonstrable, and measurable improvements to their lives… But most importantly, to do right without fear or favor—to be inclined to hear the Lord’s gentle whisper and think humbly of ourselves as we labor for courage, forbearance, and wisdom; and to always remember the opportunity to lead lives of purpose is to know that by your efforts others will stand taller."
I get my love of words honestly. And I get my love of leadership honestly, too. Because this? This is what it’s all about. Leadership isn’t about how much recognition you receive. It’s about whether the work you do allows others to stand taller.
The best leaders I know aren’t in it for personal gain. They aren’t obsessed with status. They don’t spend their time positioning themselves as the hero of every story. They are steady, consistent, and purpose-driven. And in the end, their impact is measured not in their titles, but in the lives they’ve helped lift.
That’s the kind of leadership I want to practice. The kind I want to surround myself with. The kind I hope we all strive for.
And that? I get it honestly.