Create The Future
Leadership Thought of the Day
Michigan Technological University is very close to my heart. I graduated from that fine University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have served in several functions for the University since graduation and I am currently serving an eight year term on its Board of Control. I have the pleasure to Chair the Academics Affairs Committee and am also on the Leadership Committee as well as sitting on the Tech Fund Board. Needless to say, even though MTU is 550 miles away, I remain deeply committed and invested in the University’s success.
That said, I need to share a slight twinge of angst I feel every time I come across one of the tag lines used in various promotions, MTU, “Create the Future”.
I understand the motto and the image that it is meant to convey, and it is a good one. My issue is deeper than that. I am one who suffers from the idea that words mean things, and that they should be chosen well. I may be overly picky with my concern, but I harbor it none the less. You see, in my eyes, creating the future is as easy as waking up each day. As long as you don’t pass during the night, when you get up and engage in life, you are indeed creating the future. To create the future is not hard. What is hard is to create a BETTER future. That takes dedicated effort and drive. That takes vision and determination. That takes courage and commitment. That takes LEADERSHIP.
Order does not naturally come out of chaos. By nature, order deteriorates into chaos. If we allow the world to simply create the future, it will not be for the better. If we desire a better future, that is what we need to dedicate ourselves to.
This thought was reinforced by my trainer Greg White at Title Boxing this morning. While giving instruction and correction, he took the moment to wax philosophically. (He is as good a philosopher as he is a boxing champion). I am paraphrasing a bit, but it went something like this..
“Anybody can be a boxer. It is easy. Just put on the gloves and climb into the ring. What is hard, is being able to go toe to toe with your opponent, and then to be able to leave the ring as pretty as you entered it! Anybody can be a boxer, but it takes hard work to become a champion.” He went on to elaborate, “It is easy to father a child, it is hard work to be a good father. It is easy to go to work; it is hard to make sure everybody does their job. It is easy to be who you are; it is hard work to become who you are meant to be.”
Excellent leadership thoughts are a great reminder for us all. As we go into a new week, let’s dedicate ourselves to be great leaders, and to “Create a Better Future”!
Stay Strong,
Terry
