First, I apologize for making this personal. A month ago I was overwhelmed with the thought I now have a grandson (Mr. Parke Ryan Shipley). And with that, his dad and I will enjoy the honor of being a dad and "Poppa" for the first time. Secondly, I'm going to make it personal about leadership and my dad who died 8 years ago. When it came to leading, my dad set the standard for what it means to lead. My hope is I have learned his lessons and will be able to pass those on to my grandson. Since it's Father's Day weekend, here are my thoughts:

1. My dad was a man of integrity. Dad always said and believed that a man was as good as his word. His name and handshake were as good as a legal document. He was a carpenter who built the best homes in West Ft. Worth. He took pride in each one. And because his hands, his sweat and his name, Hayden Beasley was building it, you knew it was the best that could be built.

2. My dad loved life and laughter. He not only loved to laugh, but his greatest joy was making others laugh. Leading is larger than just the present situation. If you can't make decisions and see the world larger than presenting circumstances, you live in a small, small world. My dad, even in the worst of times, understood life was larger than the present circumstances. If you can't find what is most important in life over present cirucmstances and learn to laugh, you are not a leader worth following.

3. My dad understood the importance of the little things. In his final days the words I heard him repeat over and over again were "thank you" or " you come back when you can stay longer."  Leadership is about the small things.

Admittedly, much of my dad's instruction and leadership was indirect-by model rather than by anything he said. My dad left a legacy which I need to deepen in my own life so Mr. Parke Shipley will carry on not only what his great granddad had but his Poppa modeled as well.

Please share stories about your dad. 

The following video is 1 minute and 18 seconds long. 

rb