They came, they competed, they departed…leaving behind echoes that will be repeated in other races. Can you envision the sounds of the track; the cars, the crowd, the “pop” of the beer can tabs (?)…the race announcers? Can you feel the energy; the excitement…the hum of anticipation? All participants have the intentions of acquiring the most points…of being the best…of becoming a part of Indy history. However, is intention enough to win…to be at their peak…to be at the best? And is it all about the driver…or are there other factors that need to be accounted for?

I wrestle with the good intention thing…I have a myriad of good intentions…all that seem to jockey for the first place slot on my priority list. However, my actions, my execution….well, let’s just be honest and admit that it falters…too many times. I can argue using the rationalized constraints of time, energy, other commitments, etc., but they are what they are…rational lies to myself and to others. How do I stay in that upper quadrant of conviction….going beyond the acceptable commitment plateau? Well, I believe that, for me, I need speed…or at least the feeling of speed. I like to get to where I am going….fast!! Yet, I am wise enough to know that it needs to be controlled speed! The kind where you know exactly what you are doing when you hit that apex…that exact center of the turn…that exact point when you know you can down shift, execute a slideways, and with down force and some drafting…you can be walkin the dog on to the finish! (And it does matter how you finish!)

However, personal experience has shown that it takes more than the good intentions…it takes more than a plan. You need to know what’s “good”…what’s important. And you need to know what actions are required to execute results that lead to faithful leadership. In addition, and this is the big component, you need community…you need stakeholders…you need a team. You need to determine the “race type” which determines the “car”, the “driver”, the “course design”, the “distance in laps”, and the “qualifying” pre-requisites. You need to identify your “promoters”, your “pit crew”, and the “spotters”. And then, what it boils down to is, how well will the driver handle the “aerodynamics” of the car; the focus, the discipline, and the skill required; the trust level with the pit crew, and the risks that are associated with the track that catalyze fears if not looked at, processed, and embraced.

So, what race type will I choose today? What will my car look like (hot!!)…and believe me…there is no question, “who will be the driver?”!  Who will be a part of this journey of leadership…of life…and what will be the ultimate impact I want to immortalize? I guess I need to really define that “what is important” question. I need to figure out how I’m going to handle the occasional “brain fade”; I need to make the time to dream…to write it down. It needs to be in black and white…imprinted on my sub-conscious…therefore, hopefully, harder to forget or deny.

Where do I go from here? Well, I’m not going to the track…the Indy 500 is over…but, I can look to the other “races” in the future, thereby determining what’s next…just like Patrick had to do when taken out of the race by Dixon. Sometimes we need to get over things and remember that there is a new day…a new beginning; life isn’t going to wait. Well, it’s time, the waiting is over, and the flags are out. My question, to be answered by you and by me is, “what, where and when is the next race”? Are your intentions to just circle the track…to just look like you’re trying to win…to just coast until the next pit stop…or are you out there for all 50 points?!! Ready….Set…Go!!!! The flag is dropped…. And don’t forget the concept of the faithful leader when you are checkered out…faithful leadership is recognizing and bringing along the others that help you get to the finish line! 