Walk Into the Future

Category: Team building

Articles to enhance team building.

  • 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

  • The Power of Positive Leadership

    “A leader is a dealer in hope.”

    (Napoleon)

    The Walk into the Future blog decided to get back into writing a bit more on leadership.  Everyone who follows this blog knows I identify as an Authentic Leader.  This is the leadership style that resonates with me the most.  Fun fact, Authentic Leadership leverages aspects from other leadership style with Positive Leadership being one of those.

    Positive Leadership: Leading with Purpose, Energy, and Impact

    Leadership has evolved far beyond simply managing tasks and directing teams. In today’s work environment, team members are searching for leaders who inspire confidence, encourage growth, and create environments where they feel motivated to succeed. This is where Positive leadership becomes a transformative force.

    Positive leadership is not about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it focuses on leading with optimism, encouragement, resilience, and purpose while bringing out the best in others. Positive leaders understand that attitude and culture have a direct impact on performance, morale, and long-term success.

    So, what is Positive leadership? Great question, Jayla! 😊

    Positive leadership is a leadership style centered on empowering people, building meaningful relationships, and creating environments where staff members can thrive. Positive leaders focus on strengths rather than weaknesses and encourage collaboration instead of fear-based management.

    This leadership style emphasizes:

    • Emotional intelligence
    • Respectful communication
    • Personal and professional growth
    • Building a strong workplace culture

    Positive leadership creates momentum by helping team members believe in themselves and in the mission.

    Staff members perform at their highest levels when they feel valued, respected, and motivated. Leaders set an emotional tone for organizations, teams, and departments. A leader’s mindset often influences workplace energy, productivity, and morale.

    Positive leadership matters because it helps create:

    • Better teamwork and collaboration
    • Stronger workplace relationships
    • Improved resilience during change

    When leaders consistently bring positivity into the workplace, they help reduce unnecessary stress and create environments where people feel encouraged to contribute their best work.  There will be times when the leader does not feel like being positive but emotional intelligence helps leaders maintain a positive approach in the work environment.

    One of the greatest strengths of positive leadership is its ability to strengthen team dynamics. Positive leaders recognize individual strengths and create opportunities for employees to grow and succeed.

    Instead of focusing solely on mistakes, they provide constructive feedback while also celebrating progress and achievements. This balanced approach builds confidence and encourages continuous improvement.

    Teams led by positive leaders often experience:

    • Greater trust
    • Open communication  
    • Stronger collaboration  

    People naturally work harder for leaders who believe in them.

    Every organization faces obstacles, uncertainty, and periods of change. Positive leadership helps teams remain resilient during difficult times. Leaders who remain calm, encouraging, and solution-focused help others maintain perspective and confidence.

    Positivity in leadership does not eliminate challenges, it helps teams navigate them more effectively.  This mindset creates stability and trust even during stressful situations.

    Positive leadership recognizes that staff members are more than job titles or productivity numbers. It values the human side of work by prioritizing empathy, communication, and connection.

    Leaders who genuinely care about people often create stronger workplace cultures because employees feel appreciated and respected. Small actions such as listening actively, recognizing effort, and showing gratitude can significantly improve morale and engagement.

    Positive leadership reminds organizations that success is built through people first.

    In a world where workplace stress and uncertainty are common, positive leadership stands out by bringing encouragement, resilience, and purpose into everyday interactions.  The most effective leaders are not always the loudest voices in the room. Often, they are the individuals who uplift others, inspire beliefs, and create cultures where people are motivated to grow together.

    I’m not abandoning Authentic Leadership but looking to merge these two leadership styles more in my daily interactions.  These leadership styles provide a strong foundation for organizational growth, team development and building great relationships.

    How can you leverage Positive leadership into your daily interactions?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”

    (Harvey S. Firestone)

  • 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)

  • 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: 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)