WHEN VIEWING ON A TABLET OR MOBILE -- DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM Steven Covey, in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, states that personal renewal occurs at four different levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It is through these four dimen- sions of renewal that a leader is able to gather the wherewithal to reenergize their passion, vitality, and determination to do the right thing for children. Engaging in personal renewal means having a balance in one’s leadership agenda. By having a balance, I mean that effective leaders are able to step away from their professional lives from time to time to restore themselves through acts of simple enjoyment. Effective leaders are able to renew themselves through things that have nothing to do with work, whether that means taking a leisurely walk or listening to a bird sing. Note that the first leadership quality of human potential is the faith that leaders have in others and the belief that all people can demonstrate personal growth, if given the right opportunities. The personal-renewal quality is the belief in oneself to live up to one’s potential and the responsibility to restore oneself when needed. 7. Perseverance It is a cliché, but it is true: if at first you do not succeed, try and try again. Per- severance is the ability to accomplish long-term goals or implement visionary ideas in the face of challenges and setbacks. Perseverance is a character trait of great leaders who persist and stay the course in spite of multiple obstacles that threaten their plans and desired outcomes. Very often perseverance and persistence are used interchangeably and while there are some similarities, per- sistence is a dogged determination to get something done—to achieve a goal, whereas perseverance is a dogged determination to get to a destination that is congruent with the leader’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations. In other words, persistence is a strategy that leaders who persevere must employ. Successful leaders seldom give up; they persevere. They have the willingness and the abil- ity to endure tough times, disappointments, and even failure without whining, quitting, or loosing sight of their organization’s values, vision, and vitality. Leaders who are able to demonstrate an unwavering dedication to their organization’s values, vision, and vitality represent what I view as the Three Ps of Leadership—purpose, passion, and perseverance. By purpose I mean why we do what we do; passion is what shapes our purpose and provides dynamic The Leader’s Core: You Are What You Believe 17 COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL