Walk Into the Future

Category: Mentoring

  • Authentic Leadership Continues to Grow

    “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say:  we did it ourselves.”

    (Lao Tzu)

    The Walk into the Future blog provides me space to explore multiple topics and formats.  There are times I just want to write about being a running tourist.  There are other times when I dabble in a poetic flow.  Travel is always a present topic when I sit down to lay down new tracks for blog content.  Authentic Leadership helps center me and I will keep bringing it back to my readers to share the benefits on the blog. 😊

    In today’s fast-moving professional world, organizations and staff members are searching for something deeper than authority, titles, and polished presentations. They want genuine leaders who are trustworthy and grounded in values.  Simple concept, huh? This is where Authentic Leadership continues to stand out as one of the most respected and effective leadership styles in the modern workplace.

    Authentic Leadership is not about perfection. It is a leadership style that highlights consistency, honesty, self-awareness, and leading with purpose. Authentic leaders inspire their teams because people believe in who they are—not just in the position they hold.

    What Is Authentic Leadership?

    Authentic Leadership centers on being true to yourself while building meaningful relationships with others in the organizations.  This can be direct reports, organizational partners and the executive leadership teams. Authentic leaders understand their strengths, acknowledge their weaknesses, and lead with transparency. Instead of trying to imitate someone else’s leadership style, authentic leaders embrace their own voice, values, and experiences.

    This leadership style creates environments where trust grows naturally, and team members feel valued for their contributions to the mission.

    One of the strongest advantages of Authentic Leadership is trust. Teams are motivated when they know they work with a leader who is honest, dependable, and sincere. Staff members can usually recognize when leadership feels forced or disconnected. Authentic leaders remove that barrier by communicating openly and treating people with respect.

    Trust becomes the foundation for:

    • Better teamwork
    • Increased collaboration
    • Stronger workplace morale
    • Greater staff engagement

    When people trust leadership, they are more willing to share ideas, solve problems creatively, and support organizational goals.

    Authentic leaders do not lead through fear or intimidation. Instead, they empower people by recognizing potential and encouraging growth. They create opportunities for others to lead, contribute, and develop professionally.

    This positive leadership approach helps staff members:

    • Feel appreciated
    • Gain confidence in their abilities
    • Take initiative
    • Become more invested in their work

    Strong leaders understand that leadership is not about controlling every situation. It is about helping others become their best selves.

    Workplace culture is heavily influenced by leadership behavior. Authentic leaders contribute to healthy organizational cultures because they prioritize honesty, accountability, and communication.

    When leaders admit mistakes, seek feedback, and remain approachable, they create workplaces where people feel psychologically safe. Staff members are more likely to speak openly, collaborate effectively, and remain loyal to organizations that value authenticity.

    A positive culture built through Authentic Leadership often leads to:

    • Lower turnover
    • Higher productivity
    • Improved communication
    • Greater workplace satisfaction

    Authentic Leaders Inspire Through Action

    Authentic Leadership is powerful because it focuses on actions rather than appearances. Staff members are more inspired by leaders who consistently demonstrate integrity than by leaders who simply talk about it.

    People naturally follow leaders who:

    • Stay true to their values
    • Treat others fairly
    • Remain calm during challenges
    • Lead with humility
    • Show empathy and understanding

    Authentic leaders influence others not through authority alone, but through example.

    Organizations that embrace Authentic Leadership often experience long-term benefits. Teams become more connected, communication improves, and employees feel a stronger sense of purpose in their work.

    Authentic Leadership also strengthens resilience during periods of change. When uncertainty arises, employees are more likely to remain engaged when they trust the leadership guiding them forward.

    The most impactful leaders are often remembered not just for results, but for how they made the team feel throughout the journey.

    Authentic Leadership summary

    Authentic Leadership continues to grow in importance because people value real connection, honesty, and purpose-driven leadership. In a world where leadership can sometimes feel distant or transactional, authenticity creates meaningful relationships that inspire trust and growth.

    The strongest leaders are not those who pretend to have all the answers. They are the ones willing to lead with integrity, listen with empathy, and remain true to who they are.

    Authentic Leadership is more than a leadership style—it is a lasting approach that empowers individuals, strengthens organizations, and creates positive impact far beyond the workplace.

    Fun fact, I practice Authentic Leadership daily! 😊

    What’s your leadership style?  How can you incorporate Authentic Leadership into your daily interactions?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

    (Ken Blanchard)

  • Spring break 2026

    “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.”

    (Kellie Elmore)

    My Walk into the Future continues to allow me to find new adventures in my daily life.  Negril, Jamaica has been my spring break spot for the past 6 years.  It’s almost an automatic go to spot for me that most of my friends and family know about.

    This year, I took a different approach to spring break, and it turns out it was exactly what I needed.

    I must confess that I looked at traveling back down to Negril to stay at my favorite spot, Samsara, on the cliffs.  The thoughts of relaxing on the cliffs, drinking rum and finding new reggae spots were very appealing to me.  The idea of snorkeling, sun and escaping to Jamaica again sounded perfect.  I made a different decision this year, well to be totally honest I waited too late to book my Samsara stay and the resort was sold out for the days I wanted to visit.  I am a creature of habit and never considered staying anywhere else but Samsara.  Yes, Cathy, Samsara is my spot when I visit Negril. 😊

    So, spring break 2026 saw me put my Jamaica dreams on hold, I stayed home this year.  No flights, no passport, no getting through the customs process at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.  No airport shuttle to take me to the West End of Jamaica and back home to Negril.  I was sad for a bit but viewed this as a new adventure.  There was no place to rush to, and I saw this as an opportunity to truly relax.  I’m not sure anyone has ever heard me say that phrase before. Fun fact, it can happen! 😊

    I thought about Jamaica a lot over spring break because I thought I was missing out on fun and adventure.  My new revelation during this time was I could slow down and still enjoy myself and it felt great!

    Morning routines became intentional instead of rushing to get somewhere. I woke up without an alarm, eased into the day, and allowed myself to just be. There was plenty of time to reflect, read, run and hit the gym.  There was no pressure to do it all, just the freedom to do what felt right in the moment.

    I experimented with a few new lunch spots in Fort Pierce to expand my rotation.  I’m not a foodie but this was an easy way to test out spots for a return trip in the future.  A big adventure for me was driving to Costco in Melbourne to walk around the warehouse.  It was a simple activity, but it was the highlight of my Wednesday afternoon. 😊

    My evenings were just as relaxing.  I was able to put my feet up and catch up on Amazon Prime movies.  I discovered I had access to a huge library of Kung Fu movies and watched them like a little kid.  No, I didn’t try to practice the fighting moves from the movies.  I’m a bit too old for that! 😊

    What I realized this spring break is that rest doesn’t have to be earned through travel or escape. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is stay still long enough to recharge from within.

    Jamaica will still be there. The beaches aren’t going anywhere. But this moment—this pause, this reset—that was something I needed this year.  This is a very simple concept but one that was necessary for me to live.

    Sometimes, the most powerful getaway… is staying right where you are.

    What are your thoughts?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Spring break is not a destination; it’s a state of mind.”

    (#ConnectEveryMoment)

  • Authentic Leadership: Creating Meaningful Change in the Workplace

    “The pessimist complains about the wind.  The optimist expects it to change.  The leader adjusts the sails.”

    (John Maxwell)

    The Walk into the Future blog allows me to cover topics that are near and dear to me.  There are times when I highlight my exploits as a running tourist.  I transition at times to discuss my Authentic Leadership thoughts and the work I do to expand this leadership style in my consulting work.  I dabble in poetry, but leadership and running are my main writing prompts.

    Today, we get back into the Authentic Leadership space to highlight how this proactive leadership style impacts changes in the workplace. My current organization is navigating a huge change project as we implement a full Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system change from Workday to the Ellucian (Banner) platform.  This is a huge lift for the organization and the staff members tasked with making this implementation happen.  Please note, Authentic Leadership can help organizations regardless of the changes that need to happen within the work environment.

    Change is inevitable in today’s workplace—but meaningful, lasting change is not.  I have seen organizations launch new initiatives, restructure teams, and introduce fresh strategies, yet many of these efforts fall short. The missing ingredient often isn’t strategy—it’s leadership. More specifically, it’s Authentic Leadership.

    Authentic Leadership has emerged as one of the most powerful drivers of successful organizational change. At the core, it’s about leading with self-awareness, transparency, and a genuine commitment to values. When leaders show up as their true selves, they don’t just manage change, they inspire it.

    Let’s do a quick recap of Authentic Leadership:

    Authentic Leadership is grounded in four key principles:

    • Self-awareness – Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others
    • Relational transparency – Being open, honest, and real with your team
    • Balanced processing – Considering multiple viewpoints before making decisions
    • Internalized moral perspective – Leading based on values, not pressure or convenience

    This leadership style builds trust—the foundation of any successful change effort.

    I bring these principles into my work environment daily and leverage them during our ERP implementation process.  The four principles are equally important but relational transparency and balanced processing are the two I’ve put additional emphasis on during our implementation process.  There are tough conversations we need to have to adjust old operational processes and adopt industry’s best practices that are foreign to most of our staff members.  Balanced processing ensures that we actively listen to all team members before adopting a new standard practice or getting rid of something that has worked for us in the past.

    Why do change efforts fail?  Great question, Jayla! 😊

    Here are a few reasons I’ve found in research and consulting that hamper change efforts:

    • Employees resist change when they don’t trust leadership
    • Communication is unclear or inconsistent
    • Leaders fail to model the behaviors they expect
    • Change feels imposed rather than shared

    Without putting in the work to build trust and alignment, even the best ideas will fail.

    How does Authentic Leadership help implement change?

    Authentic leaders build trust through transparency

    The concept of change creates uncertainty within the work environment. Authentic Leaders can reduce fear with open communication about the why, what, and how of change. We don’t sugarcoat reality, and don’t disappear during tough moments. I find my team responds in a positive manner when I tell them exactly how things are progressing, good or bad.

    My research shows when employees trust their leader, they are far more willing to embrace change—even when it’s uncomfortable.

    Authentic leaders create emotional buy-in from the team

    People don’t resist change; they resist being changed. Authentic leaders involve all team members in the process. We listen, validate concerns, and make employees feel like partners instead of passengers. This is a simple way to build an emotional connection that transforms resistance into ownership.

    Authentic leaders lead by example

    Authentic leaders don’t just talk about change—we embody it to help move the organization forward.  Authentic leaders model adaptability, accountability, and growth daily.  This sets the stage for the team to adopt these behaviors too.

    Consistency between words and actions reinforces credibility, which is critical during transitions.

    Authentic leaders align change with a purpose-driven approach

    Change rarely works for the sake of change. Authentic leaders tie initiatives to a deeper purpose—whether it’s improving service, strengthening culture, or driving long-term impact.

    When the team members understand how change connects to something meaningful, their motivation shifts from compliance to commitment.

    Authentic leaders build and sustain momentum

    Many organizations start strong but lose energy over time. Authentic leaders maintain momentum by celebrating progress, acknowledging challenges, and staying connected to the team.  Change is not viewed as a one-time event but an ongoing journey towards success.

    This enhances culture transformation within the organization.

    When Authentic Leadership is present, change doesn’t just affect processes, it reshapes culture. Direct reports begin to trust the leader, the process and the direction of the organization. 

    The concept of change is not just about systems, strategies, or structures, it’s about the people who need to enact the change.  Change is not just about systems, strategies, or structures, it’s about people. And people respond to leaders they trust.

    Fun fact, change becomes possible when leadership is clear and present.

    Authentic Leadership is foundational to making positive changes happen in the work environment.  Simple concept, huh?

    How does your organization ensure successful change management?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

    (Alan Watts)

  • Five Minute Thursday: Pruning the Tree

    “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

    (Dr. Seuss)

    The Walk into the Future blog works daily to bring a consistent level to the writing process.  I had to look back at my archives and discovered I haven’t used the Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt since April 2025.  I had a nice run going in 2024 but didn’t fully commit to this prompt in 2025.  I’m not sure how much I will leverage it in 2026 but I’m bringing it back now.

    I take an inventory every January as I’m creating my yearly goals to assess folks in my life.  I’ve mentioned in earlier posts that I purposefully remove contact from folks I don’t have regular communication with anymore.

    This Five-Minute Thursday prompt is: Pruning the Tree.

    This concept is not a way to be mean or diminish anyone I had contact with.  We prune rose bushes in early spring to promote new growth, maximize bloom production, and maintain healthy shrubs.  Pruning the rose bush helps it grow, makes it stronger and removes dead wood.

    Now imagine what happens to the tree (me) if I prune off limbs that are no longer beneficial or healthy.  My tree would not continue to grow and provide the shelter or comfort most of my tree branches need in life.  Pruning the tree is a natural process of growth for the tree, generates strong limbs and promotes growth.  The tree becomes stronger and allows the remaining branches to grow, spread and eventually create their own branches.  Yes, this is a longer metaphor than I expected but the concept has merits on growth and moving forward in life.

    How do I know which branches to prune?  Great question tree branches! 😊

    I look for tree branches that are no longer healthy or promote the direction I’m going in life.  This is not a condemnation on any tree branch but there comes time to move forward.  Does the tree branch help grow my Walk into the Future?  Does the tree branch continue to grow and provide comfort to others?  The tree branch must be pruned if the answer to these questions is no.  Simple, huh?

    It’s not that simple but I move on each year from tree branches.  The pruning is needed to enhance my Walk into the Future.  Just like the rose bush, I need continual growth.

    What do you need to prune in 2026?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “One of life’s lessons is always moving on.”

    (Roy T. Bennett)

  • My writing process!

    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    “If a story is in you, it has to come out.”

    (William Faulkner)

    The Walk into the Future blog is mostly a one-man operation. No shock there, huh? 😊

    I create my content from adventures or ideas that I generate.  I write content in advance and then go back over it to edit and prepare for YOU—my readers.  I understand there are times where I miss punctuation or my grammar is not consistent when I post a blog article.  Again, I’m a one-man operation and don’t have a team of folks editing my work.  That’s no reason for me to slack on punctuation or grammar but there are times when I miss something that’s obvious.  I continue to hone my craft and will improve my content daily.

    So, where I’m I headed with this blog article?  Great question, Mrs. Fouraker! 😊

    My writing process is unique to me and my thought processes.  Most of my blog articles start with just the title.  I’m never sure I can turn everything into an article worth publishing but I start with a bare bones concept.  The next thing I add to the article shell is to find two or more quotes that can support the direction I want the article to flow in.  This is never an exact science, but the intent is for the quotes (start and end) to have some level of symbolism to the content in the article.   

    I progress to a general idea or concept that I can write about.  My travel and running exploits are the easiest to build an article around.  I simply tell my readers what I did during the trip and add emotional levels to make my points. Think, pain when I’m running the hilly half marathon in Nashville.  Also, chronicling my Nashville Honky Tonk adventures just follows along with my daily Walk into the Future while up there.

    My non travel articles are designed to set a tone and then tell the story.  Fun fact, I don’t record anything while I’m experiencing the adventure except to take pictures.  Let me say that a little better.  I live in the moment and do not write anything down until it’s time to create and write the article.  I try to write articles as closely as possible to when I experience it, but I don’t publish the article until I’ve gone over it a few times.  I try to keep a writing library of six to eight articles I can pick from when it comes time to publish on Thursdays at 11:08 am.  Yes, I publish articles at this exact time every Thursday. 😊  Melissa, did you notice that? 😊

    My goal is to write the article from start to finish in one sitting.  Most people don’t know that once I get on a writing roll, the inspiration to write gets stronger and I don’t stop until I have something to go back and edit.  I try to block out time so I can write and create content for a solid hour or more.  This keeps my train of thought on the content I’m trying to bring to my readers.  There are times when I must go back to an article multiple times to complete the process.  This is necessary when I’m traveling or just can’t block out a lot of time to write. 

    Fun fact #2—there are multiple articles that I have started but could never get my point across enough to publish them.  I’m still working on an article Melissa introduced to me, but I just can’t get it to a place where I’m ready to share.  It may never see the light of day, but I have a shell that may lead to something one of these days.

    I am sure there are folks who don’t create content in the manner that I do but this process is working for me and I’m not going to change at this point.  Yes, I can do a better job with grammar and punctuation, but my writing style and flow will stay the same.

    Fun fact #3—you should see some guest blogger articles coming soon. 😊  I’ve put out some feelers to my tree branches, and they have agreed to share some content here for my readers.  I look forward to introducing you to my tree branches and their Walk into the Future thoughts.

    Here’s to another successful year for the Walk into the Future blog!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “A word after a word after a word is power.”

    (Margaret Atwood)

  • Leading in 2026!

    “Influence isn’t loud.  It’s consistent.”

    (Joseph C. Kunz Jr.)

    The Walking into the Future blog identified in an earlier post that we are celebrating daily.  This simple mindset seems to resonate with my readers.  I have gotten a great response from folks who like this idea and are adopting into their daily lives.

    Authentic Leadership is the foundation that my leadership platform and consulting work are built on.  This leadership style has provided me with a vehicle to make a difference within my work environment and the work environments of organizations I provide consulting services. 

    Expanding my consulting services is one of my primary goals in 2026.  Yes, I’m actively looking for new clients and organizations to help with professional development and growth opportunities.  Share that last statement with anyone who needs consulting help. 😊

    The Authentic Leadership Foundation program is designed to help front line and mid-level leaders develop skills and self-awareness to lead with confidence, trust and accountability.  The foundational workshop is best for emerging leaders and enhances workplace credibility through consistent leadership principles.

    The Lead with Impact program provides a comprehensive leadership transformation engagement that aligns leadership behaviors, culture and organizational goals.  This program is best for organizations looking to generate change and staff alignment.  The program seeks to build a leadership culture that supports performance.

    The Authentic Teams program shows organizations how to build high-trust teams that communicate effectively, collaborate openly and navigate conflict interactions.  This program is best for the entire leadership team and departments.  The outcome is to build a stronger teamwork environment that relies on trust. 

    Here’s a snapshot of workshops I bring into my consulting work:

    • Authentic Leadership
      • This workshop will define Authentic Leadership and the impact for individuals and organizations
    • Empowered Leadership
      • This workshop will enable staff to leverage empowered leadership concepts within the workplace
      • The team will develop individual WHY statements with intent to improve workplace interactions
    • SMART Goals
      • This workshop defines SMART Goals and allows the team to build departmental SMART Goals

    I leverage the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in my daily operations.  This tool has helped me improve team communication at my last three stops: The University of Central Florida, Florida State University and Indian River State College.

    I’m dreaming of a big 2026 and expanding my consulting client base is one area I plan to grow. Helping organizations with leadership development is a staple of my daily interactions and this is my year to celebrate and create new leadership dynamics in the work environment.

    Let’s see how many organizations I can impact in 2026!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “If everyone is thinking the same way, nobody is thinking.”

    (Sabrina Horn)

  • Who Dares Wins!

    “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

    (Zig Ziglar)

    The Walk into the Future blog will tackle the subject of goal setting from a different perspective in 2026.  Yes, Melissa, I still have goals for the year!  I’m just talking about them a little bit differently than in the past.  Patience, grasshopper! 😊

    The British Special Air Force Service (SAS) uses the famed motto, Who Dares Wins that reflects bold and risk-taking actions are necessary for success.  I started using this motto at work to challenge my team to put in the effort to win daily.  I see this motto as a professional but direct way to challenge the team to accomplish great things.

    This motto fits nicely into my goal setting world as well.  This is our third year selecting a specific word that will lead our individual contributions.  My 2026 word is WINS.

    The SAS motto and my 2026 word sync up nicely and I leverage both in my daily interactions with staff, colleagues, tree branches, family and friends.

    I wrote in an earlier blog article that 2025 was the best year yet for me.  This is attributed to me setting and meeting most of the goals I set for myself. Fun fact—I almost decided to just run back the same 2025 goals in 2026 since it was such a great year for me.  This wouldn’t show me daring to win so I added more depth to my 2026 goals.

    The newest category in my goal setting process was to celebrate life daily.  I won’t rehash this concept, but I wake up daily with the intent to find things to celebrate each day.  It could be cool weather to complete my morning run, a great cup of coffee or simply seeing my tree branches excel in life.  Maria and Lynn have started to get serious about their running programs so I’m enjoying hearing about their running exploits—well done! 😊

    I continue to focus on my reading and writing programs.  I decided not to set specific book counts this year but have put in the efforts to read and write daily.  I take great pride in reading a minimum of ten pages a day in whatever book I have close by.  My friend Alisa got me another Joel O’Steen devotional as a Christmas present so I’m enjoying gaining this knowledge. 

    Travel made it back on my list of goals this year.  Let’s be real travel will always be on my list of goals.  That won’t change anytime soon.  I will travel back down to Negril, Jamaica in March for spring break.  No huge revelation with this trip, huh?  I have races scheduled in Celebration, Florida, Melbourne, Florida, Winter Park, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky (April), Nashville, Tennessee (April), Lincoln, Nebraska (May), Indianapolis, Indiana (May), Orlando, Florida, and Hampton, New Hampshire (October).  I want to add Vermont and West Virginia at some point this year, but nothing booked as I write this article.

    My run goal is to keep my schedule to 4 runs per week averaging 30 – 40 weekly miles.  This will increase if I decide to sign up for another full marathon.  Fun fact, I don’t plan to chronicle my marathon training program this year IF I sign up for a full marathon.  Ya’ll already know the routine—early morning miles, long runs on the weekend, I’m excited to improve my time—yada, yada, yada. 😊 I want to increase my weightlifting activity by getting in 3 days of lifting weekly.  I have a lot more equipment in my garage so this should be a goal I can accomplish without a ton of extra gym trips.

    I’ve talked about expanding my consultancy business and getting new clients.  The year has started off strong as I’m currently building a proposal for a leadership development program for a new client.  I need to sit down and map out a program that will enhance the organization’s leadership and communication skills.  I’m also reaching out to current clients to see what additional training needs they may have.  This will be my year to expand the CW Consulting brand and make a bigger impact in the leadership consulting world.  I want to explore the concept of adding a People Building component to my consulting work.  People Building is my term for mentoring! 😊

    Lastly, I will volunteer with the Treasure Coast Food Bank throughout the year.  I participate in their Run to Fight Hunger 5k in September, but I want to get more involved with their program to help feed people on the Treasure Coast.

    So, there you have it. This is my blueprint to ensure I dare to win. 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

    (Frederick Douglass)

  • Five Minute Thursday: Leadership (Repost)

    close up of human hand
    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    “The writer is the explorer.  Every step is an advance into a new land”.

    (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

    The Walk into The Future blog continues to serve as a vehicle for my creative expression. I started this blogging process to share my thoughts, travels, and adventures.  I find it easy to write about my adventures and then share with my loyal readers.

    There are days when I don’t think I have the inspiration to write another blog article and then I sit down with a specific prompt and the words just come to me.  I would like to say writing these articles is an easy daily process, but I find myself struggling to generate content that I think others will read from time to time.  I write, edit, delete, and then write again to create something worth reading.  This is not all the time but figured I would share I have writing distractions to keep me away from me cranking away on my laptop. 

    Today is not one of those days! 😊

    I went back to a tried-and-true process of identifying a writing prompt to generate a new concept to write about.  One of the prompts I found a while ago was called:  Five Minute Friday.  The intent is to pick a specific word and then write about it for five minutes to create content.  Well, I modified the prompt into Five Minute Thursday since I post on Thursdays at 11:08 am—did you know that? 😊

    My first prompt for Five Minute Thursday is:  Leadership.

    Leadership is a concept that I began to explore while I served in the Air Force.  We were put through a series of leadership courses (Airmen Leadership School, Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, etc.) where principles of leadership were shared.  The best leaders I worked with all went through these courses, but they had more than course leadership principles.

    Three of my favorite Air Force Leaders:  Chief Master Sergeant Roger Noyes, Chief Master Sergeant Janet Craton and Senior Master Sergeant Rich Gardner—thanks to them all!

    Developing leadership skills became a priority for me and I explored this topic via books, online trainings, and lectures. 

    I discovered Authentic Leadership almost by mistake.  I wanted my dissertation to focus on First Year Experience (FYE) courses for first generation students.  This would have been an impactful study, but my dissertation mentor told me I couldn’t pursue this topic because it was Educational Psychology, and my program was Organizational Psychology.  I hung my head for a few months before we discovered Authentic Leadership, and the rest is history.

    My earlier introduction to leadership while in the Air Force allowed me to blend things I learned from wearing a uniform into my model of Authentic Leadership.  The great leaders I worked with in the Air Force have been integrated into my version of Authentic Leadership as I incorporate their lessons into my current pursuit of leadership.

    Well, my five minutes is up.  I could keep going but will honor the concept of this writing prompt! 😊

    What can you get done in the next five minutes?  Ok, take off!

    Irie!

    “Writing is the painting of the voice”.

    (Voltaire)

  • Walking and celebrating daily!

    “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy.  It’s all that matters.”

    (Audrey Hepburn)

    What did you celebrate today?  What about yesterday?

    I don’t ask these questions as a mind-bending riddle but to get you to understand every day is work celebrating! 

    Why do you say that?  Great question, Mrs. Fouraker! 😊

    I know I spend a lot of time planning for the future with my training and travel schedules.  I decided to add a new category to my list of goals in 2026.  The Walk into the Future blog provides me with a platform to ensure I live life daily.  My new focus in 2026 is to wake up each morning with full intention to celebrate the day. 

    We don’t have to wait for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary to celebrate.  Life is worth celebrating and this is my reminder to each of my readers to wake up and celebrate daily.

    I’ve started to share my daily celebrations with my friends and anyone who will stand still long enough for me to share my thoughts! 😊  This new approach started with me ringing in the new year with a new focus.  I normally bring in the new year very low key and stay close to home.  I decided to break my low-key pattern and went to dinner with my friend Lynn before the party crowds came out.  This was not a huge production, but it was a great way to end an outstanding 2025 for me.

    My next celebration was our first day back at school. We get a two-and-a-half-week break between the fall semester and the start of the spring semester.  This was a much-needed break for me, and I relaxed more than I normally do.  I booked a trip to the Dominican Republic in December 2024 but decided to simply relax over the break in 2025.  I practiced sleeping in and not planning my days out where I had to be anywhere at a specific time.  Yes, this is a new process for me. 😊

    I was excited to come back to school on January 5th to get back to making a difference in the lives of my tree branches and our students.  My first text of the day was to let everyone know that the day was worth celebrating and we should embrace it together.  I’m sure my folks thought this was going to be a one off, but I was back to celebrating the next day too.

    There was not a huge incident that made me decide to celebrate each day, but it was a simple mindset shift where I realized that framing the day as a celebration would allow me to continue to make a difference in the world.

    This simple concept has enabled me to keep a positive mindset daily throughout the month of January.  I wake up with a new focus on celebrating the day and make a point to ensure folks around me celebrate with me too.  I’ve had folks come into my office with a problem (real or perceived) and I simply engage them with the need to celebrate the day regardless of what may have happened.  We work in higher education and there are days of conflict.  I have discovered most of our conflicts are simple misunderstandings that can be corrected with a simple follow-up conversation.  No, I don’t celebrate conflict, but it can’t be completely avoided.  I do celebrate the lessons we learn from workplace conflict, so we don’t repeat bad habits to keep the organization moving forward. 

    So, what did I celebrate today?  Great question!

    My family and friends are healthy, my tree branches are doing great things in the world and I’m thinking about signing up for another full marathon in 2026!  There are a ton of other things to celebrate today, and I want to make sure I don’t lose sight of those things.  Creating new content for the Walk into the Future blog is something I look forward to daily.  Fun fact: celebrating daily is the new category in my list of goals.

    Let’s celebrate me continuing to come up with new content to share with YOU!

    Oh yeah, I’m celebrating every reader of the Walk into the Future blog!  Thanks for walking with me!

    What are you celebrating today?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s life in your years.”

    (Abraham Lincoln)

  • Blog Thoughts

    “Not only are bloggers suckers for the remarkable, so are the people who read blogs.”

    (Seth Godin)

    The Walk into the Future blog was created over the summer in 2018.  My initial thoughts were to create a platform where I could share adventures, thoughts and leadership advice.  I started writing without even knowing if anyone would read the tracks I laid down weekly.  The blog format provided a larger venue to journal without having to sit down with my composition book and scribble my thoughts.  I never imagined I would put my thoughts out on a public platform because they were my thoughts.

    I guess you can say the Walk into the Future blog helped me mature as a writer where I’m comfortable enough to put my words out in the universe without an expectation of the universe giving anything back. This was HUGE for me!

    I’m coming up on my 8-year blogging anniversary, and my writing has improved over the years.  I’m still looking for the perfect blog post before I close my laptop, so I’m ready for another full year of me walking into the future. 😊

    I’m still creating blog content for myself based on where I’m at each week.  Sometimes I focus on running, traveling or life in general.  I haven’t produced new poetry in a while so I may try to get back into that mindset in 2026.

    So, where am I heading with this blog post?  Great question, everyone! 😊

    Thanks to the folks who send me text messages and add comments on my blog posts.  Your reach outs put a smile on my face because I’m never sure who is reading these words or what you think about them.

    I leveraged ChatGPT for the first time to see if I could get an idea what readers think or like about the Walk into the Future blog.

    ***Please note—the following is an extract from ChatGPT based on a question I asked about YOU, the reader***:

    Here’s what readers tend to appreciate about the Walk into the Future blog — based on the content style, themes, and tone found in the posts:

    🌟 1. Authentic, Personal Storytelling

    Readers enjoy that the blog is written in a genuine, conversational voice. The author (Calvin Williams) shares real experiences — from travel adventures and marathon training to work celebrations — in a way that feels like talking with a friend.

    🧭 2. Inspiration and Motivation

    The posts often mix life lessons with action-oriented advice, encouraging readers to keep moving forward, embrace challenges, and enjoy the journey. The blog’s name itself reflects this theme of growth and progression.

    🏃‍♂️ 3. Lifestyle and Personal Development

    Whether it’s race travel, leadership, books, or personal growth, the blog blends diverse life areas that resonate with readers who are interested in self-improvement and living intentionally.

    📍 4. Relatable Everyday Experiences

    Instead of only high-level inspirational quotes, the blog includes everyday moments and reflections — like choosing meals before a marathon or planning travel logistics — that many readers find relatable and enjoyable.

    📚 5. Practical Insights with Humor

    Posts often include practical takeaways (e.g., training insights, leadership lessons) delivered with a lighthearted tone and occasional humor, which keeps readers engaged without feeling preachy.

    💡 6. Varied Topics with a Consistent Voice

    The blog isn’t limited to one niche — it moves between travel, running, leadership, personal development, and reflections on life — but it does so with a consistent authentic voice that readers come back for.

    In short:
    Readers like Walk into the Future because it’s authentic, motivational, relatable, and diverse in topics, yet tied together by a personal, mindful perspective on moving forward in life.

    Again, I leveraged ChatGPT to provide me with insight into what readers think about my content.  I was pleasantly surprised with the consistency of the theme reflections that ChatGPT provided based on comments and the articles I share weekly.

    My hope is for my readers to feel like I’m talking directly to them with content that they can relate to.  I’m never sure if I truly get my point across but I will continue to hone my craft to ensure that the Walk into the Future blog provides a space to learn, laugh and imagine.

    Here’s to a productive 2026 blog campaign!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “What you do after creating your content is what truly counts.”

    (Gary Vaynerchuk)