We live in a constantly changing world; many of the changes are outside of our control.
Some are a direct result of the choices we have made.
What sets leaders apart? Do the differences really matter? Here are 5 steps to help you define the content of character of the candidates asking for your vote.
Imagine making a choice between Captain "Sully" Sullenberger and Captain Francesco Schettino; knowing what you know today, would it be difficult to choose the most capable Captain? Good leaders share traits that we can look for and even demand from the people who are asking for our support in the upcoming elections.
1) Stormy Weather Navigators - Every state has challenges that open the door to stormy weather; it is a natural occurrence as time passes.
The more populated your state is the greater the opportunity for bigger storms.
Big ships always sail in deep water.
Pay attention to how the storms in your state are being navigated by those who are in office and running for re-election.
A good Captain will minimize the damage to the vessel and always put the safety and well-being of the people under their charge first.
How have the leaders in your state handled the storms? If things have seemed pretty quiet and times are getting better, if scandals are unusual and not a part of your daily news, you probably have a Captain Sully at the helm.
No news is good news in stormy weather.
Captain Sullenberger's words speak volumes about who he is; his actions even more so; "The facts tell us what to do and how to do it, but it is our humanity which tells us that we must do something and why we must do it.
" - Sully Sullenberger Captain Francesco Schettino, the Captain of the Concordia who was dubbed "Captain Coward" planned to abandon ship by helicopter after crashing it, causing the death of 32 people.
If your states leaders or candidates are always looking for an exit or escape, if their tactics involve deflecting attention away from their results by always pointing a finger at their competitors, you may want to re-think supporting those leaders.
This is the ideology of a person who can't get up without dragging someone else down.
Real leaders earn bragging rights by results; however, they rarely take the time to strut their stuff.
2) "The Buck Stops Here" - Good leaders accept responsibility for their decisions, the good ones and the bad ones.
Leaders are forced to make calls that affect the lives of many people.
They are human.
Some choices are good, some are great and some are simply the wrong call.
Good leaders accept their accountability and honestly acknowledge their errors; they are likewise entitled to be acknowledged and accept the praise for the good ones.
3) Standing Strong in the Face of Adversity - When leaders really believe in something that may be hotly contested by the masses, it is difficult to stand strong and hold the line.
Good leaders are not wishy- washy.
They explain their position and why it is important.
If their position is legally challenged, they support it and then accept the decision of the higher powers without malice.
4) Fearless Fighters - Good leaders know the law and how it applies to their position and their ability to effect change legally.
They are fearless in their pursuit of the things they stand for and believe in.
They are rarely forced to 'stand down' because they engaged in the battle armed with an abundance of knowledge and understanding of what is a realistic and probable outcome.
They chalk up wins regularly because they took the time to know the facts.
Good leaders respect our laws and our system of government, or they make a good effort to amend or change the ones they believe are detrimental.
5) Altering Their Course for the Greater Good - The best leaders are willing to subjugate their own personal desires and pursuits to ensure that the greater good for those who have entrusted them to act on their behalf are served.
This is difficult; yet history records these events as a legacy worth noting.
Whatever your personal beliefs are, whatever you decide is important to you, and whoever you decide best represents your goals, hopes and dreams is strictly up to you to decide.
As you are making your choice, get the real facts, examine the track record of the candidates, (those currently holding office have mapped a clear path that reflects their successes and failures) look closely at the character of the people who are asking for your support and make a real effort to find out who may be leading your future to new horizons and where the road may turn.
As is true with most choices in our lives; if you like the results, apply more of the same, if not, apply a change.
A good Captain makes all the difference in how the journey will be traveled; learn everything you can about who is navigating the course and what you can expect from them.
Then get excited about supporting them!