Adults who exemplify integrity facilitate high standards that result in a solid reputation.

Some people possess a certain image in society, but uphold a different character at home or behind the scenes. Often, people make excuses for why they behave inappropriately. Yet, as most coaches have exclaimed, you play like you practice!

Being an adult with integrity, one must develop self-discipline, inner trust, and a desire to be honest at all times.

Billy Graham once said, “Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. … When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”

Great leaders follow in the footsteps of those who are a positive inspiration to them.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us what we can be.”

Whether a parent or an educator, we rapidly realize that wrong decisions not only adversely affect us, but they affect the sweet little people who follow us.

We must understand that everyone is hungry for something. Most successful managers, teachers and writers understand this principle. For example, it is much easier to teach middle-school students if they are hungry to learn. I believe a great teacher finds a way to make them hungry!

Many students respond to encouragement, positive reinforcement and recognition.

Students and adults will often become what the most significant person in their life anticipates they will become. Moreover, children often respond to adults better once they know how much the adult cares about them.

Since success is generally thought of as learning from failure, adults must show compassion as they teach young people how to become motivated in setting goals, working as a team and overcoming obstacles. In short, people do what they see others do. Therefore, it is imperative that adults model appropriate behavior and teach children how to reach their fullest potential.

Winners aren’t concerned with “how to get by” — they establish goals for winning BIG. They are less sensitive to rejection. They focus on their goals and have high standards of self-worth. They don’t waste time in unproductive activities. For the most part, they see the big picture.

 Sometimes as leaders in the home or school we must realize that changes must take place within ourselves. Negative, helpless thinking is never a trait that should be passed on to those who look to us for guidance.

Even though resistance to change is universal, change is still inevitable and growth is a result of change. Being that change puts a twist on our habit patterns, it is crucial to understand that even though bad habits are hard to break, creating new and better habits can be rewarding.

Many people are simply afraid of the unknown, whether it relates to buying a new house or working a difficult math problem.

Yet, there is a difference between those who are unwilling and those who are unable.

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who serves as an English instructor for Daphne Middle School and Faulkner State Community College.

Rogers’ column runs twice a month, exclusively in the Daphne Bulletin and on BaldwinCountyNow.com