1. Lead by Example. Be "out front." Be Transparent.
Coercion and Control are not the same as Influence.

2. Always respect Boundary, Sovereignty, and Domain.
Expect and require the same.

3. Keep your priorities in Order. Allow them to govern your choices.

4. Define "rendering unto..." the owner.

5. Weakness is not humility or piousness.
Act with courage - make assertions - take positions.

6. DO NOT BE CONTENT WITH MEDIOCRITY or "averageness."
We are called to EXCELLENCE.

7. No one can be humble "on purpose" - as an act of will.
Humility is the natural result of recognizing Superiority.
Making awareness of Superiority [Quality] is our major task. When they "see' they will choose accordingly. Until then - you and they may struggle.

8. Do not patronize youngsters. Be more concerned with what they will think of you 20 years from now. Do not seek your own popularity.

You will be vulnerable and they will spot it and use it against you and your purposes.

9. Expect intelligence. Do not treat them as helpless. They will appreciate it and respond accordingly.

10. Have a sense of humor - especially about the things that are yours.

11. Share the "Social I.Q. Test." Q: "Can you tell the difference between what is yours to decide about and what is NOT yours to decide about?" Hmmmmm?

12. Give the youngsters [don't call them 'kids'] opportunities to make Choices from among alternatives you supply. Encourage Creativity, Originality, and Responsibility.

13. ALWAYS measure Human Value by the Individual - never by a group or plural-unit. [Is there any other kind of human?] Groups are convenient verbalizations about Individuals - not Reality.

14. Build Individual Value and regard for each UNIQUE person. [Gold is valuable because it is RARE. How much more so the Unique Individual Person.] YOU are the ONLY you in the history of the universe! Rarity is value. [Quality is Value.]

15. Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy are often the engine that drives the "rowdy" machine. The Lord's 'price-tag' on each Individual will help to dissipate such problems.

16. Responsibility? No one will accept Responsibility above the level of their own sense of Self-Value.

17. Discuss these suggestions openly. Allow opportunity for thought and incubation. Encourage them to re-articulate in their own words.

18. Respect EFFORT regardless of results. Even errors are learning experiences. Compliment - do not flatter. [However, do not equate Effort with Accomplishment.]

19. Remember, we are preparing them to go from 0% of making their own choices to 100%. It is A Process of Preparation.

20. "Don't be afraid of making a 'mistake' - as long as you're TRYING!"

21. Learn ONE thing at ONE time. This way, anyone can learn anything! Don't try to learn it all at once. Be Teachable - learn one thing at one time.

22. Do not confuse an Order with a Request. When you give an order, do not say, "Okay?" A Request recognizes and indicates they have a choice of whether to do it or not. If it was meant as an order - and they do not obey - it now appears to be an act of disobedience. Confusion???

23. Winston Churchill once said that courage was the most
important virtue because it made all other virtues
possible. Churchill was wrong - it is not the prime
virtue. Faithfulness/loyalty/commitment is the prime
virtue because it makes all other virtues possible -
including courage. Choose to be faithful and courage
will result. The U.S. Marine Corps has it right:
Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful.

James Fletcher Baxter
+vincit veritas+

choicemaker@thegrid.net