Shadowing
FedEx World Headquarters - Memphis, TN
Not one of us makes it alone. ‘Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success,” says George Matthew Adams. I wholeheartedly agree. When you think about the traits, characteristics and even career choice that define you, it may have been because someone had a shadow of influence over you at an early age. It may have been a teacher, a coach, a family member or even a manager. In my case, I would have to say my parents were the earliest to cast that positive shadow of influence on my life. Sadly, it is often true that characteristics and traits we possess that do not serve us well as adults were also modeled by someone within our circle.
As kids, my sister and I did not have a lot of toys and of course the digital world had not progressed with computers, smart phones, cable TV and the internet. Our black and white television received a whopping six channels, 4 VHF and 2 UHF. Of course, if you put foil on the rabbit ear antenna you could sometimes get one more UHF channel which was often a religious channel. I cannot be the only one that remembers those days! However, we did have a set of encyclopedias. Every week like clockwork, my sister and I were required to read an article from one of the huge books and stand in front of our parents and give an oral report. They would then provide helpful feedback on how we did. Did we have the correct volume, pronunciation, pausing, audience contact? Did we gesture? We were only 6 and 7 when this started and this felt like punishment. My sister and I would pick the shortest articles we could find. Once our parents caught on, they would pick the articles for us to prepare, and they were not the short ones. Look where that early training has brought me. I am grateful for the shadow they cast and have always acknowledged them as the beginning to my comfort in public speaking.
Good parenting plays a vital role in raising productive, emotionally healthy, and well-adjusted children. While instincts and love guide much of parenting, some have found that scriptural teaching equips parents with tools to nurture discipline, resilience, and positive behavior in their children. In a world that is constantly evolving, parents who are intentional in their approach can better prepare their children to face challenges, manage responsibilities, and thrive in adulthood. When parents and guardians know how to set consistent boundaries, encourage effort, and model self-discipline, children are more likely to internalize those values. Over time, this leads to habits such as completing tasks, managing emotions, and working toward long-term goals—core elements of adult productivity.
Children who are raised with strong values, structure, and emotional support are often well-prepared to succeed in the corporate world. Good parenting fosters key traits that translate directly into professional excellence—traits like discipline, adaptability, respect for authority, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. I have had countless managers, directors and officers who have cast positive shadows, served as accountability partners, and often saw potential in me that I did not know I had. For those leaders in my adult life, I am forever grateful!
In my experience, the home is the first leadership lab. Children raised with love, structure, and exacting standards do not just succeed, they often become the kind of leaders others want to follow. Thank you, mom and dad! Who is it that has cast that positive shadow of growth, resilience, and success in your life? Have you acknowledged and thanked them for their assistance?
Take care of yourself and each other!
