December 17, 2025  

2026: At the Precipice of Greatness | WT #138

As we share this final Weekly Truth of the year, we do so from a meaningful threshold.

Just nine days ago, many of us gathered for Bring Out the Greatness, a moment that marked both celebration and quiet resolve. The evening affirmed the Foundation’s mission and, through the generosity of those present, raised significant support for the work ahead. It was also the moment when the first phase of the Made for Greatness campaign was formally introduced, along with the encouraging news that we have already reached $200,000 toward our Phase 1 goal of $600,000. Board Member Will Hodges framed this moment well—what we are seeing now is not a finish line, but the visible emergence of something long in the making. We look forward to sharing more as this unfolds in the months ahead.

That same evening, guests were invited to explore a new public expression of the Foundation’s Principled Decision-Making framework, in the form of an AI tool. What has been formed in recent years as a framework, taught and practiced in classrooms and conversations, is now taking a form that can be experienced and tested. We are excited to continue sharing this in the weeks ahead as it becomes more widely available.

Taken together, these moments point to a deeper truth. Over the past five years, the work of the Foundation has been formative by design. Like a potter shaping clay, much of this season has been about careful molding—refining a process, strengthening a program, and building a foundation capable of serving schools, students, and educators with integrity and clarity. The goal has never been speed, but faithfulness to the work entrusted to us.

As we move through this Advent season, we are reminded that preparation is not passive. It is purposeful. It requires patience, gratitude, and trust in what is being shaped, even when the final form is not yet fully revealed.

Our hope is that this same spirit accompanies all of us—not only in anticipation of our Lord’s coming, but in every effort we undertake. May we carry this posture of readiness into 2026, committed in our own lives and through the Foundation’s work to fulfill our shared purpose: to manifest God’s Kingdom on Earth and to do His Will in the year ahead.

Photo: Board Chair Pierre Koshakji and Board Member Will Hodges with Jim Keyes, 2025 Authentic Leader Award Honoree

This article was last modified on December 17, 2025 .

About the author 

Darren Smith

Darren Smith is Co-Founder of the Authentic Leadership Institute. He is a native Texan and a graduate of Dallas Jesuit and Texas A&M University. Over the past 25 years, Darren has visited 35 countries and led 100 strategy programs. He and his wife have five children.


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