Know the Way, Show the Way, Go the Way

 Years ago, I had a few stress-relieving, somewhat guilty pleasures. I binge-watched “Say Yes to the Dress.”  I am already married. I cannot imagine spending 10,000 dollars for a dress. Yet, I still enjoyed seeing the dresses, and the drama could be pretty entertaining. My newest stress-relieving activity is “Quiztreat.”  It is 20 multiple-choice questions on a variety of topics. The range is wide and includes things like snakes, baking, or state capitals. It is a little like playing trivial pursuit. I have been trying to get a 20 for months. I am celebrating this week that I got a 19!  BTW, it was on parts of the body.

One of the quiz treats was on famous sayings. The question was, “Who said__________.” The quiz included some of my favorite sayings. I just found a new saying this week in an email from my brother-in-law, Joe. His tagline is “Know the way, show the way, go the way.” I think that is a simple and powerful string of works. So, I will give you my take on each part.

Know the way

This calls us to be confident and competent at any task and to know what is right or wrong. It is, in fact, the first rung on the ladder of intent—the leadership ladder we are all called to use. 

Show the way

This calls to the teacher in all of us. When someone is new to a task or doesn’t understand how to do something, demonstrate for them and help them learn.

Go the way

This calls on us to practice what we preach—to take action and move in the right direction. A little while ago, one of our directors received a call on a Friday afternoon. A person needed help. His mother and sole caretaker had fallen ill, and he had nowhere to go and no one who could care for him. The director started making some calls, and his team came together to help this person in need.

The person was scared and overwhelmed by strangers stepping into his life. The director pulled him aside and checked in with him. In the car, he got to choose where he sat and what music to listen to, and the director asked him about his life and interests. In a moment of need, this director and his team set everything else aside, focused on the individual person, and helped him—all while making him feel as welcome and in control as they could.

If you like this line, feel free to use it!