“Congratulations!” A co-worker called out when I arrived. It was my first day in my new position as director of broadcasting.

“Thanks!” I replied with a smile.

I walked down the hall to my office, turning to stare at the large production calendar on the wall. Every day was packed with meetings, interviews and tapings. My smile faded a bit. During the job interview, I was sure I could do it. But now, with a staff to lead, a budget to manage and shows to produce, I was nervous.

It reminded me of cheerleading tryouts in junior high school. “Number eight!” the lady had called out. I jumped up and ran to the middle of the gym. I was being called back to perform one more cheer.

We’d practiced the routine all week in our groups, with each group leader beginning the cheer. But this time there was no appointed leader. We stood there, looking down the line, waiting for someone to start. Then I took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Ready? Okay!” I shouted. “Go for it, Tigers, hear us roar . . .”

The next day I jumped off the school bus and ran all the way to the gym. The names of the new cheerleaders were posted on the door. I scanned the list quickly. I’d made it! “That last cheer you did was a tiebreaker,” the cheerleading sponsor said. “You won because you took the lead.”

Now years later, it was time to take the lead again. I walked over to the production calendar and wrote across the top in big red letters: “Go for it!”

Jesus, help me to remember that the most important thing I can do as a leader is to follow You.