By the time you read this our next President will likely have been decided. The decision, whether Obama or McCain is elected President, is not only a public decision but a personal one as well.

I know for whom I voted for President, and being selfish and seeing things through the lens of my biased glasses, I know who should win. However, my Maker has a more refined lens and bigger plans for all of us regardless of my personal bias. That brings me to this week. 

First, for whomever becomes President, the most decisive characteristic for the best person to lead our country is character. The wisest man who ever lived said, "He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out." Whomever becomes the leader of the greatest nation on earth must be a man of the highest character and can not only talk the talk but walk the walk. My prayer is for a man who walks securely because of his integrity. If not, I want him to be found out.

Secondly on a personal note, this week has not been a good one for me. I'm quickly becoming the underdog with discouraging news on the horizon for my business. I know God has plans for me to prosper and not to fail but sometimes I doubt. I also know and have read in the Bible and experienced that God loves the underdog. All I have to do is reflect on individuals like Joshua, Esther, David, and even Peter and Paul to realize these were individuals who were people who overcame the odds to stand out as leaders.

Leadership always involves thinking and acting courageously and like there is no way out regardless if times are good or bad. If times are easy and you're bringing home the bacon, no problem. Anyone can do that. When times are tough and your backs against the wall? That's when it takes extraordinary leadership.

So how are you doing on character and being an underdog?

rb

One other thought-I like what Seth Godin (www.sethgodin.com) said on his blog today "Your customers and employees and investors will remember how you treated them when times were tough, when they needed a break, when a little support meant everything. No one in particular will remember how you acted in boom times."