Lessons From History

I had a graduate history professor who insisted on teaching an undergraduate American history class every semester. "I want them to understand that the world didn't begin when they woke up this morning," he said of the freshmen and sophomores who enrolled in his class.

That's as true of all of us as it is of college freshmen. And the more we know and understand of our nation's history, the more we should expect from our leaders.

The cast of characters who have taken the stage on both the state and national levels throughout our history ranges from the rogue to the truly inspirational. Unfortunately, we hear more about the rogues than the heroes today.

Perhaps we need to consider what made our effective leaders legends in their own time:

--They were not born leaders. Rather, they were ordinary men and women who were willing to step up when no one else would.

--They didn't need polls to tell them what course to take, but they valued the counsel of knowledgeable, experienced advisers. And they knew the power -- and solace -- of prayer.

--They stood on principle, but they were able to admit when they were wrong.

--They didn't make promises they knew they couldn't keep. Their word meant something, and they were not going to cheapen it just to be PC or gain a few votes.

--They understood it was not about them -- it was about getting the job done.

--They didn't waste time comparing themselves to historic leaders. They had work to do.

--They realized leadership was more than making eloquent speeches or trading political barbs. For them, action did speak louder than words.

--They knew they had to set the example and inspire others to follow them. It was not a matter of "do as I say and not as I do."

--At the end of the day, they took all the blame but shared the credit.

--They recognized when it was time to move aside and let someone else take the reins. They understood that they were not the one and only.

--And, finally, they didn't worry about their place in history. That was for future generations to decide. It was enough that they had served.