A Leader Must Accept Full Responsibility

Gregory BarnesPosted Date:April 25, 2022 11:36 AMStatus:Published

I am learning and have learned throughout my life that character and leadership are the very aspects in life that can make or break not only a individual but an entire group of people. Integrity, morals, and ethics are the very things that define us. These are the guiding factors that determine every decision, action, and response we make when planning and responding to any situation. Every moment when I look back through my life to where I accomplished anything greater then what I thought I was capable doing, I had a great leader looking after me. Someone who knew better then myself and could see something in me that I yet had the ability to do so myself. Without the ability and self confidence to believe and dream then we are already defeated before the challenges along the road to becoming champions even starts. The only thing in this space that others cant take from us is our faith in what works and serves our well being. When we forget those basic things that have been already instilled in us then we cant even begin to use them. Motivation and mind set are the two things that define a champion mind set. The ability to not only understand what living a servant leadership life style entails, but the very ability to live and die by a code is understanding how and what the importance of coaching/teaching character, mindset, and motivation provides. When a aspiring leader lacks or just does not have this basic understanding of importance of quality in character and mind set then they shouldnt be granted a leadership position unless they want to continuously let themselves and others who depend on them down in defeat. I truly believe that if you cant help then don't hurt. If you have a covenant with yourself to only aspire and provide your flock with the very best of your ability and knowledge then and only then will you be an effective leader, coach, parent, teacher, and citizen. If we can not consistently bring a winning attitude to the table for ourselves first then we shouldn't be considering helping anyone outside of ourselves.



Showing up with that positive outlook for the people we lead and who rely on us every day is not easy in itself. We are taught to check our ego at the door before stepping into the work place, dojo, field, office, etc. Ive never herd of any successful leader or coach who has a pesemistic outlook on life or vibe they bring. In order to efficiently lead others we must bring all the confidence and guidance in the realm of greatness along with us and consistently provide those aspirations and support to our team.



Mind set, motivation, morals, and ethics are all taught behaviors and characteristics. If you are anything like myself you are an empathetic individual. I tend to feed off my surroundings especially when they are positive. I know better today to not accept dwelling/remaining in others negative and poor mind sets. This does not mean I cant help improve these peoples mental, emotional, and spiritual short comings! Which is one of the reasons I know my worth and value to performing at the highest levels of coaching that God has called me for. I know wherever I go that I will never accept dwelling in sorrow or defeat. The attitude I carry with me is everything. My team mates in life and like minded individuals will never let this space become toxic because we are too strong and too many. When one is struggling then the other tows the line. We put our best efforts first. We also have the guts to inform others when we are not well. This allows your team and leader to correct any issues that arise which goes back to keeping it cooperative. This also goes back to the importance of not only recognizing the signs within ourselves when something is off whether it be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or socially. When we try to address every problem ourselves and cant let others in from not practicing honesty within ourselves or ignoring and over riding then in a team setting we arent just letting ourselves down but we let the team down as well.



In many instances, we are raised to get everything in life for ourselves. Many families teach children to succeed on their own and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. This needs to be addressed because this only breads evil and doesn't allow Gods greater plans he has for us. We can not achieve anything close to our potential on our own. Look at what Jesus had to go through in order to understand this very lesson. He walked alone without his team for years and years. It was not until he reached his 30s until he could come to terms with that very lesson that he needed a team in order to complete what God set in his heart to accomplish. The 12 apostles were just as important parts to the success to what he accomplished on the cross. Without a team effort and the pure leadership tactics Jesus used then the world would be a totally different place! I'm sure Jesus wasn't going around with a "can't" attitude. No, he believed in something greater then himself and the flesh in order to accomplish what he had which are now seen as performing miracles. The greatest leader in the world accomplished miracles just with his belief system and his code of morals and ethics to fulfill prophecies! This goes to show that unimagined or thought of accomplishments in life all start with our attitudes and what we bring to the table for others to feed off of and be inspired by. I have so many realities in life and my own past that I could share and will back up these very words with proof! The news papers, trophies, hype, awards, and degrees are just reminders of why I'm a valuable candidate to coach at these aspired top levels in the game. I was not the best of the best of accomplished players in the sport of football; but my attitude, assistance, and efforts were and are. I've put in the years of blood, sweat, and tears to understand the things I hold dear and contribute to the world of success on a daily basis. I understand what athletes battle with and endure when animosity, jealousy, trials and tribulations, and evil is steering them in the face and in their way of succeeding. I know what that feels like all to well and have been on both receiving sides of that evil. I've overcome many obstacles and I've failed. The difference is that today I am guided by and connected to a higher will then mine as I've always been but the difference is that before I didnt understand how to access that power on a regular basis because I needed to struggle in order to realize what and where my strengths and weaknesses were at.



Character and leadership is what makes or breaks any individual or team organization. In my past, ive truly learned and understands through my struggles and experience through competing in and living by a code in athletics this to be true. Not only in sport and athletics but also in my regular every day life struggles. I started my own home improvement contracting business in 2019 and 2020 before the pandemic and was very successful. It was during those times when I had no help and everything depended on my own efforts, morals, and work ethics to what the outcome would be. The first year I had almost broke even and the following year I had grossed $48,000 on my own and that didn't include running at full potential. If during those times I had a safe environment to reside in after the work was complete then who knows how much more efficient I could have been. I believe God wanted me to struggle and realize what its really like when we try to be out and operate in this space on our own without any one guiding me through other then God himself. When we live in that space and have the opportunity to figure out what we are made of without the help of others or things outside of our own blessings is when we can start to understand that the original blessing we are created in is enough or not so much! We get to understand where we measure up in those times and how we compare to the rest of the world. These times are scary and trying, but when we understand that we are never alone and never have to walk in fear or doubt again by applying the basic lessons we had been taught time and time again throughout our struggles in life; this is when we get to believe greater and deeper in ourselves. Without these trials and tribulations as human beings then we cant recognize or access to use those things that are instilled in us to overcome and be successful. I could not have accomplished anything worthwhile without the past, present, and future struggles. Many sorts of people choose to run from the storms in life because they are not ready to face them. I can honestly say and be proud to admit that today I either be pro active and prepare ahead to whether those storms. If those storms arrive unexpected, then instead of running from them I've learned how to show my strength in my character and choose to run at the unexpected storm instead because I know and today can truly feel that God is my strength! Knowing and feeling is different then being able to access and work with and through that higher power. Once you can see and understand what has been written, then you will be able to understand and access the same power in characteristics and leadership as I've had to endure and learn how to apply in order to provide a brighter day not only for yourself but even more important for us! So make sure you carry your head high and trust in your faith and core beliefs that everything you have gone through and survived is only preparing us to accomplish greatness. If your currently struggling with a hardship then listen to that voice inside telling you to get up and go to work! If you listen to that voice you will suffer less and overcome more!