Walk Into the Future

Category: poetry

  • The Impact of Authentic Leadership on Mentoring

    “A mentor is someone who allows you to see hope in yourself.”

    (Oprah Winfrey)

    Leadership is often measured by results, performance metrics, and organizational success. However, one of the most enduring legacies of a leader is not found in strategic plans or annual reports—it is found in the people they develop. Authentic leadership plays a critical role in mentoring because it creates an environment built on trust, transparency, and genuine human connection.

    Authentic leadership is the practice of leading with integrity, self-awareness, and consistency between values and actions. Authentic leaders embrace who they are, acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, and create meaningful relationships with those they serve.  When applied to mentoring, authenticity becomes the foundation upon which growth and development are built.

    The most effective mentoring relationships are grounded in trust. Mentees are more likely to seek guidance, share concerns, and accept feedback when they believe their mentor is genuine and sincere.  When trust exists, mentoring moves beyond transactional conversations and becomes transformational development.

    Authentic leaders foster environments where their mentees feel safe to learn, ask questions, and make mistakes. Instead of judging every misstep, they view challenges as opportunities for growth. Psychological safety encourages mentees to take calculated risks, share ideas, seek feedback without fear and learn from failures.  I make it a point to let all my direct report know I don’t care if they make mistakes.  Just don’t make the same mistake multiple times.

    As a result, mentees become more confident, resilient, and willing to stretch beyond their comfort zones.

    One of the most powerful aspects of Authentic leadership is the willingness to continue learning. Authentic leaders recognize that leadership is a journey, not a destination.  Mentees who observe authentic leaders adopt similar habits: seeking continuous improvement, embracing feedback and pursuing professional development opportunities.

    Leadership is often “caught” more than it is taught, and authentic leaders model the behaviors they want to see in others.  Mentoring is not about creating followers; it is about developing future leaders. Authentic leaders understand that their success is measured by the success of those they mentor.

    Rather than focusing on control, they focus on empowerment.  Authentic leaders encourage mentees to think independently, make decisions, and develop their own leadership style.  This approach creates a ripple effect throughout organizations and communities as mentees become mentors themselves.

    Many people may forget a leader’s title, position, or accomplishments, but they rarely forget how a leader made them feel. Authentic leaders leave a lasting impact because they invest in people, not just performance.  Their influence extends beyond the workplace into families, communities, and future generations of leaders.

    As we walk into the future, organizations will continue to face new challenges and rapid change. The leaders who will make the greatest difference are those who choose authenticity over appearance and mentorship over authority.

    The future belongs to leaders who develop people, inspire trust, and create opportunities for others to succeed. Authentic leadership is not simply a leadership style—it is a legacy-building commitment to helping others become the best versions of themselves.

    Who’s ready to build your own legacy?

    Who was the most authentic mentor in your life, and what leadership lesson from them continues to shape your journey today?

    I welcome your thoughts!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Find a mentor who will cast a shadow for you to follow.”

    (Unknown)

  • 2026 Freedom 4-Miler

    “Please ignore the faces I make while running.”

    (Unknown)

    My Walk into the Future continues to provide me with new adventures and places to explore.  This is not a huge surprise since that is one of my goals in life and why the blog title is Walk into the Future.  Adventures await around every corner if you just open your eyes to the possibilities.

    I ventured over to Orlando last year for my first 4th of July race.  I didn’t know if I would enjoy the experience since this was a July race in Florida.  It was hot but not unbearable.  I decided to find a different 4th of July race in 2026 and signed up for the Freedom 4-miler in Tequesta, Florida.  The 4-mile distance was new for me, and I never ventured down to Tequesta before, so this was a completely new adventure for me.

    The Village of Tequesta is the northernmost city in Palm Beach County.  I passed the exit on my way to West Palm Beach, but I’ve never got off on exit 87B to explore this village.  The Freedom 4-Miler was my opportunity to run a new distance and get a chance to get to a new city.  Tequesta is only a 50-minute drive from Fort Pierce, but I decided to book a hotel down there the night before the race to eliminate me having to get on the road at 4:30 am to make the start line.  I’m a Marriott person and had enough points for a free night’s stay so this was an easy decision for me.

    The drive down I-95 was uneventful, which was great for me.  Packet pickup was held in Constitution Park, and this gave me an opportunity to get a feel for the village.  It was a cute little park, and packet pickup was very basic.  Get your Bib, T-shirt and a few goodies and leave.  There was not an EXPO feel, but the folks were super friendly and seemed to be happy to see all the runners.

    The Village of Tequesta is only two miles from the Jupiter Inlet, so I headed over there and found a seat at Square Grouper.  Yes, Jupiter has a Square Grouper, and I wanted to check it out to see if it is different from the Fort Pierce version.  Both locations have similar setups, but the Jupiter version has a boat dock, and a lot of folks pull up in their boats which I thought was a major flex move—well played rich people! 😊 I stayed at Square Grouper long enough to get a few pictures of the lighthouse and a fisherman feeding a pelican—true story!

    I headed to Duffy’s Bar and Grill to get in some carb loading.  I didn’t need anything huge for the 4-mile race but wanted to ensure I had the fuel needed to run a good race.  I stuck to the tried-and-true meal of wings, fries and plenty of beer.  I don’t have a Duffy’s close to me, but the food was pretty good, and the beer was ice-cold, baby!  My hotel was across the street from Duffy’s, so I made my way over there to get off my feet and rest up for the battle to come on the racecourse.

    I didn’t know how popular this 4-mile race was until race day.  There were 1,000+ runners registered for the 4-miler.  Most of the runners were from the local area with a few other cities mixed in. 

    I have never raced the 4-mile distance, so this was going to be a personal record (PR) regardless of how I performed.  😊  I didn’t enter the race with a preset time in mind but wanted to test my fitness in the South Florida heat and humidity safely.  I posted up in the middle of the start corral to keep from being blocked my slower runners—mission accomplished.

    The course was mostly flat, and I enjoyed that the most.  I started the race with a controlled pace and wanted to maintain my form throughout.  Unfun fact—it was HOT at 7:15 am and there was not a lot of shade for runners.  Okay, enough complaining about the heat.  My controlled pace turned out to be that I completed Mile #1 with a 10:00 minute pace.  I slowed a bit on each subsequent mile, but I didn’t fall apart considering the conditions.  I was able to find a smile on my face in the last mile because there were cameras and people everywhere.  You never want spectators to think you’re not enjoying the pain of a hot race. 😊 Mile #4 went by at a 11:47 minute pace which was fine with me considering the temperature and humidity levels. 

    I crossed the finish line with a smile and newfound respect for summer racing.  I collected my race medal, iced towel, water and headed over to the race village to cool down. There were a few vendors in the race village, but I made my way over to the table serving pancakes.  I got my short stack and found a sit under a tree in the park to enjoy the moment.  I noticed at this point that my run shorts, t-shirt and socks were completely soaked by my sweat.  I’m sure I lost about 5 pounds by sweating this much.  No worries, Jayla!  I always go to get a large meal after my races and today was not different. 

    I made my way to First Watch after showering and cooling down.  I got my traditional First Watch meal, the Trifecta with bacon, scrambled eggs, blueberry pancake, cheesy grits and coffee.  Yep, this is my meal every time I visit a First Watch regardless of the location. 😊

    My first visit to the Village of Tequesta ended with a quick visit to Publix to pick up items for me to grill later.  It is the 4th of July and what better way to celebrate than some good BBQ prepared by me! 😊

    Fun fact, I was the fastest runner from Fort Pierce for this 4-Miler! 😊

    Happy 4th of July!  America is 250!

    How did you celebrate the 4th of July?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Running is a mental sport, and we’re all insane.”

    (Unknown)

  • Marathon Training and Leadership: The Journey Matters

    “Don’t dream of winning, train for it.”

    (Mo Farah)

    My Walk into the Future continues at the halfway point of 2026. This year has been exciting for me as I explore new adventures and topics for my readers.  Please note, these adventures and topics are exciting to me and I’m happy to share with you—hopefully you are enjoying the journey so far in 2026. 

    Shoutout to Lauren for accepting a new role within the Villanova University Career Center—well done my friend! 😊

    I started reflecting on how to compare training for a marathon and leadership. There are a few things that both have in common.  At first glance, marathon training and leadership may seem worlds apart. One involves logging miles on roads and trails, while the other focuses on guiding people and organizations toward success. However, the more time I spend pursuing both, the more I realize they share many of the same principles.

    Success in both begins with a vision.  No huge revelation there, huh?  Nobody wakes up one morning and accidentally completes a marathon. The journey begins with a clear goal and a commitment to achieving it. Leadership works the same way. Effective leaders establish a vision, communicate it clearly, and create a plan to move forward.

    Whether training for 26.2 miles or leading a team through a challenging project, success starts by knowing where you want to go.  Many new runners believe success comes from one great workout. Experienced marathoners know that consistent training over time produces results. Success as a leader follows the same pattern.

    The most respected leaders are not the people who deliver occasional moments of brilliance. They consistently show up, communicate effectively, support their teams, and make sound decisions day after day.  These small daily actions consistently create outstanding outcomes for the team.  How do you build an ant hill—one grain of sand at a time! 😊

    Every marathon training plan includes periods where progress feels slow. There are days when the miles feel difficult, motivation is low, and improvement seems invisible. Leadership presents similar daily challenges. Organizational change takes time. Team development takes time. Building trust takes time.  Great leaders understand that meaningful progress rarely happens overnight. They remain committed to the process even when immediate results are not apparent.

    Every marathon includes difficult runs and occasional bad weather. Every leader faces obstacles as they attempt to move the team and organization forward. In training, challenging workouts strengthen the body and mind. In leadership, difficult conversations, unexpected setbacks, and periods of uncertainty develop resilience and character. The challenges we face often become the experiences that prepare us for future success.

    Although marathon runners cross the finish line individually, their success is often supported by coaches, training partners, family members, and friends.  Thanks Jayla, Lauren and Lynn! 😊

    Leadership is no different. Strong leaders recognize that success is a collective effort. They invest in relationships, empower others, and understand that accomplishments are rarely achieved in isolation.  The strongest leaders know how to build strong teams.

    Marathon training includes many small victories before race day: completing a long run, reaching a new distance, or achieving a personal best.  Leadership journeys should include celebrations as well. Recognizing progress boosts morale, reinforces positive behaviors, and reminds teams that their efforts matter.  Success is not just about reaching the finish line—it is about appreciating the journey.

    Marathon training has taught me lessons that extend far beyond running. It has reinforced the value of discipline, resilience, patience, and purpose—qualities that define effective leadership. Both journeys require commitment and demand perseverance. And both remind us that the most rewarding accomplishments are earned one step at a time.  This seems to be a recurring theme. 😊

    As you continue your own leadership journey, remember that progress is made through consistent forward movement. Just like a marathon, leadership is not a sprint. It is a long-term commitment to growth, improvement, and helping others reach their potential.

    Keep moving forward. Your future is waiting.

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Everything you wanted to know about yourself, you can learn in 26.2 miles.”

    (Dr. George Sheehan)

  • Iron Sharpens Iron: The Power of Mutual Growth

    (ChatGPT designed image)

    “No man will make a great leader who want to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.”

    (Andrew Carnegie)

    The Walk into the Future blog pivoted to more leadership content in the past few weeks.  This is not surprising as I look to expand my leadership consulting program and reach potential clients with my content.

    Proverbs 27:17 highlight one of my favorite leadership principles: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

    Iron becomes sharper only through friction. In the same way, leaders grow through relationships and situations that challenge their thinking, stretch their abilities, and refine their character.

    The normal trend is for leaders to surround themselves with people who simply agree with every decision. While agreement may feel comfortable, it rarely produces growth. The best leaders intentionally seek colleagues, mentors, and team members who ask difficult questions, offer honest feedback, and encourage continuous improvement. 

    General Colin Powell has a specific leadership rule that I leverage daily with my team.  General Powell states, “If you agree with everything I say then one of us is redundant.”  I love that quote! 😊

    Healthy leadership isn’t about avoiding friction—it’s about embracing constructive conversations that make everyone stronger. Great teams operate with this mindset. They celebrate successes, challenge for improvements and hold everyone accountable with respect and trust. Their goal isn’t to win arguments; it’s to help shape everyone into better leaders.

    Authentic leaders should ask the following questions:

    • Who sharpens me?
    • Who am I sharpening?
    • Am I creating an environment where honest feedback is welcomed rather than feared?

    Leadership is not about standing above others. It is about growing alongside the team members. When leaders intentionally sharpen one another, organizations become stronger, cultures become healthier, and people reach their full potential.

    As you walk into the future, don’t seek people who simply tell you what you want to hear. Seek those who challenge you to become the leader you were created to be.

    My final thoughts highlight leadership is about developing people, not just directing them.  The strongest leaders are the ones who continually sharpen themselves while helping sharpen others in their workspace.

    Who did YOU sharpen today?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.”

    (Pete Hoekstra)

  • Nashville in pictures

    “To travel is to live.”

    (Hans Christian Andersen)

    The running tourist returned to Nashville for the 2026 Rock N Roll Half Marathon back in April.

    Here are a few of the sights and scenes from my trip–enjoy! 😊

    (Honky Tonks on Broadway)

    (Opry Mills)

    (Downtown NashVegas!)

    I’m looking forward to my return trip to Nashville! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • Ellucian Live 2026

    “A podcast is a great way to develop relationships with hard-to-reach people.”

    (Tim Paige)

    My Walk into the Future provides a viable platform to share information and my thoughts.  I never imagined I would still be blogging eight years from my first article.  Thanks to everyone who reads my work!

    Ellucian Live 2026 was held in Denver, Colorado this year and this was my second time attending.  We made an appearance last year in Orlando, Florida for the same event.  Fun fact, Denver is one of my favorite cities and I was excited to get back out there.  I was also a featured panelist with several of my outstanding teammates at Indian River State College.

    The Ellucian team has been working with Indian River State College on implementing the Banner ERP system.  We have been at this for over two years now and the Ellucian representative thought it would be worthwhile for my teammates and me to share some of our Change Management lessons learned during the implementation process.

    I never turn down an opportunity to spread Authentic Leadership, and this was an outstanding platform for me to share my thoughts.  The panel was moderated by our Ellucian Change Management partner and one of our internal Project Managers.  Both ladies are brilliant and leaders in the field of Change Management.  We were in great hands for the panel!  Thanks, Cathy! 😊

    Our panel was scheduled for the first day of the conference and provided us with a prime-time slot , location and access to reach a large audience.  Again, we were not sure how many people wanted to hear from a small school in Florida, but our session was full.  We had folks from around the country and a few international attendees as well.  A nice surprise for the team.

    We started the panel with team introductions, so everyone knew who we were and our roles on the team.  The panel flowed into questions from our moderators so we could share our thoughts and actions to ensure we had a good Change Management program.  I am proud of my teammates for their knowledge and willingness to share their expertise with the attendees.  The final 15 minutes were a questions and answers session where attendees grabbed a microphone and asked questions specific to their locations.  This was fun for me because it allowed us to come off script a bit and provide real-time solutions for other schools. 

    We all got an invite to attend another regional conference to share with other groups.  I have not seen the written invitation for this request, but we are available to speak with anyone who wants us to join them.  Yes, share with anyone you know looking for panelists, key notes and breakout session. 😊There were several folks who came up to speak with us after the panel was over to share contact information and ask follow questions.

    My Vice President, Beth Gaskin and I left the panel and headed to our next speaking engagement of the day.  We got invited to do the EdUp Experience podcast which was hosted in the lobby of the Denver Convention Center.  This session was not scripted, so we fielded questions about leadership, culture building, fun in the work environment and our thoughts on the future of Higher Education.  This was an outstanding experience for us, and we had a ball sharing insight with another audience.  I’m not sure how many people follow this podcast, but it is a great platform to learn from professionals making positive things happen. 

    Give our episode a run here:  https://www.edupexperience.com/calvinandbeth/.  I’m looking forward to getting another invite to speak on this great platform.  No pressure, Dr. Jodi Blinco! 😊

    We are always looking for adventures and discovered Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube were playing at the Red Rocks Amphitheater.  Beth got tickets for the show, and we were off to take in the Red Rocks sights and see two Hip Hop legends in concert.  The Red Rocks venue was breathtaking as advertised.  The seating is built into the rocks and there was not a bad seat in the venue.  We were able to rap along with the Hip Hop legends and enjoyed the show.  The entire Marley family is playing Red Rocks in June.  I may have to get back there to check them out.

    I was able to get in a good run session to test myself against the altitude in Denver.  The thin air was a welcome change from the Florida humidity.  I was able to handle the altitude without much issue, but I could tell a difference in my breathing after my three-mile journey.  It would be great to have altitude training available on a regular basis. 

    This was a great trip for networking, sightseeing and enjoying the mountain views.

    I look forward to getting back to Denver soon!

    Where are you travelling this summer?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • Repost – Poetic Flow

    Poetic Flow

  • Poetic Flow: Free Form

    “A poem is never finished, only abandoned.”

    (Paul Valery)

    The concept of life can be lost in the little things

    Don’t strive to understand what this means

    Live the life and appreciate the process

    Of making a change in the world

    With minimum steps that lead to larger things

    Get comfortable with the little things

    That brings the joy you need in the process

    Of moving forward and ensuring that you

    Reach the goals that you dream about

    And achieve the things that mean

    You have achieved the success that signifies

    The little things build momentum towards your dreams

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.”

    (Carl Sandburg)

  • 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)

  • Five Minute Thursday: Love running in cold weather

    “The cold clears your head.”

    (Anonymous)

    The Walk into the Future blog is my outlet to share my thoughts and have a creative outlet for my work.  I continue to amaze myself as I build content to share with my readers.  Who knew I had this much to say! 😊  I’m not this talkative in real life but I’m happy to have this platform to say what’s on my mind or highlight life adventures.  The Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt provides me with a new writing toy to continue to develop new levels to my writing process.

    This Five-Minute Thursday prompt is: I Love running in cold weather.

    Why do I Love Running in Cold Weather?

    There’s something special about stepping outside into crisp, cold air and starting a run. A lot of people stay indoors when cold temperatures arrive, but I head in the opposite direction—I lace up my shoes and embrace the chill. 😊

    Cold weather running feels refreshing in a way that’s hard to replicate. The air is clean and sharp, filling your lungs with every breath and waking up the senses. Unlike the heavy, humid heat, the cold keeps my body cool and this makes it easier to get into a rhythm and hit my mile markers on my daily runs.

    There’s also a mental edge to it. Running in the cold requires discipline, it’s my choice to get out and run in the cold. It’s easy to stay inside where it’s warm, but pushing past that comfort builds resilience. Every mile is a small victory, a reminder that growth often lives just outside of what feels easy.

    I also love the quiet that you get with cold weather. Cold mornings are still, with fewer people around and a sense of calm that’s hard to find at other times. It is just me, my breath, my Spotify playlist and the sound of my feet pounding the pavement—a moving meditation.

    Completing a run in cold weather is a form of celebration for me!  Finishing a cold run brings a deep sense of accomplishment. The warmth that follows, whether it’s a hot shower or a cup of coffee, feels earned in the best way.

    For me, cold weather running isn’t just about fitness, it’s about clarity, discipline, and finding energy in the elements. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding experiences come when you lean into discomfort instead of avoiding it.

    I don’t get a lot of cold weather runs in since I live in South Florida, but I enjoy the few weeks of cold running I get here.  I tend to head to northern states for my longer races with anticipation of racing in cold or cooler weather.  This works sometimes as I ran my half marathon PR in Hampton, New Hampshire in October 2025.  I ran my marathon PR in Atlantic City, New Jersey in October 2025.

    I’m heading to Louisville, Kentucky (April), Nashville, Tennessee (April), Lincoln, Nebraska (May), Indianapolis, Indiana, (May), Hampton, New Hampshire (October) and Atlantic City, New Jersey (October) to get in some cooler weather.  I’m looking forward to getting a few PRs in this race lineup this year.

    Fingers crossed! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “It’s only cold if you’re standing still.”

    (Pinterest)