As I am writing, Mother’s Day is approaching. Every year around this time I remember a 1970s television commercial Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant made for South Central Bell telephone company. He closed the commercial by saying, “Have you called your mama today? I sure wish I could call mine.” You can view it here.

I’m grateful, and fortunate, that my mother is still living and just a phone call away. But, it’s a fact of life that we won’t have people who are important to us always available. There are, however, people who become for us “silent advisors.”

I can’t count the number of times I have thought, “I wish I could ask Grandad how to do that.” I often wonder, “What would Dr. Grady Bogue advise about that?” Sometimes I wish I could hear Dr. Joe Johnson’s response to a question that I have been asked. Though their voices are no longer heard on the other end of a phone call, they are in a collective of key advisors even today.

Here are just two examples:

When I realize that I am being impatient, I can still hear my grandmother’s voice saying, “Oh, they are poor indeed who hath not patience.” Those of you reading this are welcome to remind me in her honor when I’m pushing too fast!

I can still close my eyes, see and hear Grady Bogue telling us in class that if we ever made some of the bone-headed decisions as an administrator that he warned against, he would personally come and revoke our degree. Somehow, I imagine that he could still find a way to do it!

There are countless stories of advice from people in my past that still benefit me today. For now, I’ll spare you, or perhaps come back to more another day. There are some things, though, that are important reminders for us about silent advisors.

1. They are valuable! They remind us of time-tested wisdom.
2. Speak their wisdom to others and give them the credit. They can live on in some ways through us.
3. Consider how you saw the advice work for that person and emulate what worked.
4. Choose your silent advisors wisely. Don’t listen to someone in your mind who you would not ask for advice in person.
5. Don’t listen to bad or destructive advisors! You might be able to learn from their mistakes, but don’t repeat them!

We all need a cadre of trusted advisors we can call or drop in on who will listen and offer sage advice. Let’s not forget that we all have a team we can access in the memories of our mind who can serve as silent advisors to us as we L.E.A.D.

Who are your trusted silent advisors? How have they helped you? Will you share one of your stories with us?