Written by: Ashley Goad on March 13, 2014

The two men I admire most throughout all time in all the world are my Savior, Jesus Christ and my dad, William Goad. Dr. MaryKate Morse wrote about both of them in Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space and Influence. After weeks of capitalism, consumerism, Protestantism and Calvinism, Morse’s personal stories intermingled with practical application renewed my passion for leadership and our doctoral program. Reading through the pages took me on a smile-filled tour of all things I admire and love about my father. From the time I was born, he has always been my role model, my teacher, my mentor, and my supporter. Morse said, “The best way to learn social skills, such as appropriate eye contact, tact, body position, and touch, is to observe and imitate the people who have them.”[1] In each of Morse’s illustrations, I saw my dad.

Let me introduce you to the best man I know:

Four Categories of Power

Morse identifies four categories of power – expert, character, role and culture.[2]

Dad spent his professional life, almost 40 years, in human resources. He obtained a master’s degree and taught personnel classes at universities. He hired people, he fired people, he connected people, and he recruited people. He spent every hour of his day working with people…and they loved him, followed him, and would do anything for him. He continues to be highly sought after for strategic planning and creation of new programs. He is an expert in human resources.[3]

My father is a man of integrity. Being from the South, a handshake is as good as a contract, and he follows through on his promises and obligations. Those around him admire the man he is and flock to him for words of wisdom and direction. Time and again, our phone would ring on the weekends and late at night with calls for advice, both professional and personal. Part of his character is his gift to put others first, care for their needs and give encouragement and affirmation. [4]

In a western world that emphasizes tall, handsome, and successful men, my dad seems to have achieved culture power.[5] He did not use this power, though, to belittle others or to rise to superiority. Instead, by his example, I learned from him to never stop growing, to give myself as many opportunities to learn as possible, and be the change instead of resisting new ideas or prospects.

From United Way to Rotary Clubs, other leaders would look to my dad for direction, strategy and recruiting. He is a networker, and he knows the people to go to who will get things done. Whether community service or church leadership, it was not long before he was asked to serve in a particular role, usually as the overall trailblazer and guide.[6]

The “It” Factor

I grew up admiring my dad as he worked a crowd. He has presence and charisma that rivals Bill Clinton, though I may be a tad biased.[7] I remember one weekend twenty years ago in particular; we were at a Rotary District Conference in Myrtle Beach. My dad was (and still is) on the Board of Directors in his local Rotary club, and he was presenting in several of the workshops that weekend. Watching him work the room was the most poetic dance I had ever seen. When he walked in, he took the first moments to scan the entire room, to observe the environment and the people. I have seen him do it countless times. From there, he walked with confidence to the first group of people he recognized. Along the way, he waved and acknowledged folks on the other side of the room. He had the ability to make others feel noticed and relevant even when he was not directly in front of them.

The handshake is the first impression of my father’s predominant “it” factor. He has mastered the two-hand shake, reaching for the person’s right hand with his right hand while touching the forearm with his left hand. With those he knows better, he has adopted the handshake with a half hug, slap on the back, or for women he knows well, he will lean in for the big hug. He calls everyone by name and looks each individual directly in the eye.[8] Others’ faces light up when he walks their way.

I loved hearing his stories of partnering with Hillary Clinton during the United Way literacy campaign in Little Rock, or the night he met with President Clinton and Hillary at the White House to discuss labor laws. He is a confidant of his male peers, a mentor to younger men, and a proponent of women. He had and has, as Morse identified, the presence and charisma, the “it” factor, if you will, to better the lives of those around him, and thankfully, I was not the only person who recognized it![9]

Having read Morse’s book, I see my dad possesses the visual marker of a leader and influencer – he is a white male, with a degree, married, and nice looking,[10] and handles himself well in a group situation.[11] More than that, though, he is kind. He is honest. He is loving and genuine. And in a culture of power-hungry competitors, harsh words, and immoral leaders, I admire my father even more. Call me a daddy’s girl, but I have the best father in the world, and I am so thankful he taught me and encouraged me to be like him.

About the Author

Ashley Goad

Ashley is the Global Missions Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. She's a UNC fanatic, Haiti Enthusiast, Clean Water Activist, Solar Power Supporter... www.firstserves.org www.solarunderthesun.org www.livingwatersfortheworld.org

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