My music genre of choice is Country. Lyrics are frequently laugh-out-loud funny but sometimes they’re poignant.

I heard performer and writer Billy Currington sing a song yesterday. The refrain went like this:

Walk a little straighter, daddy

You’re swaying side to side.

Your footsteps make me dizzy

And no matter how I try,

I keep tripping and stumbling.

If you’d look down here, you’d see.

Walk a little straighter, daddy

You’re leading me.

We have many dads at PalletOne. Some raise their families at home.

Circumstances have caused others to raise theirs part-time.

Currington’s lyrics remind us how important the role of a dad is. Little ones pay attention. They watch and copy. And if the path we lead them on is crooked and swaying, we shouldn’t be surprised if they have a tough time succeeding in life.

Many of us didn’t have ideal leadership from the men in our lives. We know the impact that created.

So, how are you leading? It’s not something you do later. It’s something you do now.

There is good news. If your current path doesn’t make you proud, you can begin anew today.

Opting out as a leader of your children isn’t an option. You will be an influence whatever your choice. I hope you aren’t swaying, but walking straight.