My parents met at Fort Riley, Kan., during World War II. My father was an Army civilian; he had been trampled by a horse in his youth and couldn't enlist. My mother was studying to be a nurse and, when war broke out, joined the Women's Army Corps without even telling her parents.

In times of uncertainty, employees crave clarity. As a leader, you won't always have all of the answers - no one expects you to - so you must be open to listening and learning from others. Once you understand a particular challenge and outline the options, you have to be confident in making bold and optimistic decisions.

Leaders have to see past problems to solutions, and my mother excelled at just that.

The best candidates make a strong case for themselves. They can clearly articulate why they are the best choice for the job - and they can tell me what unique qualities they bring that no one else can offer.

Refuse to accept the belief that your professional relevance, career success or financial security turns on the next update on the latest technology. Sometimes it's good to put the paddle down and just let the canoe glide.

Our worldly successes cannot be guaranteed, but our ability to achieve spiritual success is entirely up to us, thanks to the grace of God. The best advice I know is to give is to give those worldly things your best but never your all - reserve the ultimate hope for the only one who can grant it.

As an actor, my job is to perform to the best of my ability. Success or the ratings of a show are not in my hands. But yes, people's expectations can be unnerving.

Our nation's security, economy, and place on the world stage depends on the success our educational system.