--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have always been taught to lead with my…" description: "\"I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend so much time in our communit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f86/ben-ray-lujan-5905_forward_i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-m_16934.jpg" --- # I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico… ![“I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend so much time in our communities working with local leaders and constituents to move our state forward.” quote by Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f86/ben-ray-lujan-5905_forward_i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-m_16934.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f86/ben-ray-lujan-5905_forward_i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-m_16934.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f86/ben-ray-lujan-5905_forward_i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-m_16934.jpg) > “I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend so much time in our communities working with local leaders and constituents to move our state forward.” [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes grounding leadership in regional cultural values and prioritizing community collaboration to advance state progress. **In simple terms:** Leadership rooted in local values. Key Takeaway Local culture drives effective governance. Themes community leadership regional identity public service collaboration Mood proud committed optimistic Type political inspirational When to use this quote - town hall meetings - local policy initiatives - community outreach programs Key Concepts civic engagement regional pride Practical Applications - policy advocacy - grassroots organizing Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders balance local traditions with broader policy goals? - What mechanisms ensure community voices shape state decisions? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every community in New Mexico, and our local leaders have been instrumental in helping New Mexicans get through this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-touched-every-community-in-new-mexico-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will always listen to my fellow New Mexicans and look forward to learning from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-always-listen-to-my-fellow-new-mexicans-and-look-forward-to/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Like many New Mexicans, I enjoy spending time outdoors and understand how important New Mexico's natural beauty and resources are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-haaland/like-many-new-mexicans-i-enjoy-spending-time-outdoors-and-understand/) [Deb Haaland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-haaland/) > [“Strategies, tactics, skills, and practices are empty without an understanding of the fundamental human aspirations that connect leaders and their constituents. Model”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-kouzes/strategies-tactics-skills-and-practices-are-empty-without-an/) [James M. Kouzes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-kouzes/) > [All New Mexicans need fair wages, high-quality health care, and a government that looks out for them - not just big corporations with Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/all-new-mexicans-need-fair-wages-high-quality-health-care-and-a/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away from financial catastrophe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-dire-reality-that-too-many/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will continue fighting for New Mexicans for as long as they allow me to serve as their voice in the U.S. Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-continue-fighting-for-new-mexicans-for-as-long-as-they-allow/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexicans shouldn't have to choose between lifesaving medications and putting food on the table - a struggle that too many are facing each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexicans-shouldn-t-have-to-choose-between-lifesaving-medications/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I follow in the footsteps of giants like Tom Udall, Pete Domenici, Jeff Bingaman, and Dennis Chavez. Their example will serve as my north…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-giants-like-tom-udall-pete-domenici-jeff/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [When asylum seekers began arriving at the southern border in 2018, New Mexico's communities answered the call to provide humanitarian care. Churches, non-profits, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/when-asylum-seekers-began-arriving-at-the-southern-border-in-2018-new/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico has many infrastructure needs in order to ensure our agriculture, tourism, national laboratories and overall economy can grow and thrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-has-many-infrastructure-needs-in-order-to-ensure-our/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico's rural counties must have their voices heard on the federal policies that impact their communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-s-rural-counties-must-have-their-voices-heard-on-the/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico succeeds when our students have access to new and exciting opportunities, when small businesses can expand in new markets and when our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-succeeds-when-our-students-have-access-to-new-and-exciting/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico is no stranger to strong women trailblazers such as Esther Martinez, who fought to preserve indigenous languages, Georgia O'Keefe, who skillfully captured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-is-no-stranger-to-strong-women-trailblazers-such-as-esther/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [In New Mexico, service is in our blood. For generations, our young men and women have fought bravely in our most storied battles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/in-new-mexico-service-is-in-our-blood-for-generations-our-young-men/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## More by Ben Ray Lujan > [Voters went to the polls in record numbers in 2020 to make their voices heard, and it's crucial that Congress takes action to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/voters-went-to-the-polls-in-record-numbers-in-2020-to-make-their/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will always listen to my fellow New Mexicans and look forward to learning from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-always-listen-to-my-fellow-new-mexicans-and-look-forward-to/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [While progress has been made, there is still more work to do to root out systemic racism and inequity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/while-progress-has-been-made-there-is-still-more-work-to-do-to-root/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As a former mayor and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Fudge brings a wealth of experience to the Biden administration. She will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-a-former-mayor-and-chair-of-the-congressional-black-caucus/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Few diplomats have the expertise of Antony Blinken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/few-diplomats-have-the-expertise-of-antony-blinken/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Paycheck Protection Program has been an important lifeline for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic - and it's help kept the doors open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-paycheck-protection-program-has-been-an-important-lifeline-for/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Growing up as a Head Start kid, I never expected to run for Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/growing-up-as-a-head-start-kid-i-never-expected-to-run-for-senate/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As Navajo Nation President, Albert Hale worked to provide a greater voice for Chapters in Tribal government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-navajo-nation-president-albert-hale-worked-to-provide-a-greater/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Our nation's veterans and their families deserve a VA that will provide the best care and benefits that they have rightly earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/our-nation-s-veterans-and-their-families-deserve-a-va-that-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico is no stranger to strong women trailblazers such as Esther Martinez, who fought to preserve indigenous languages, Georgia O'Keefe, who skillfully captured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-is-no-stranger-to-strong-women-trailblazers-such-as-esther/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The expansion of commercial space exploration holds huge promise and benefits for our country. It will help support government-backed research and programs, provide a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-expansion-of-commercial-space-exploration-holds-huge-promise-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Department of Energy and our National Labs play a central role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-department-of-energy-and-our-national-labs-play-a-central-role-in/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I'm confident that Congresswoman Haaland, a fellow New Mexican, will lead the Interior Department with honor and integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-m-confident-that-congresswoman-haaland-a-fellow-new-mexican-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I've always made it a priority to stand up for our land, water, and wildlife corridors, and in the Senate, I'll continue fighting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-ve-always-made-it-a-priority-to-stand-up-for-our-land-water-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [My dad was an ironworker and my mom retired from our public schools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/my-dad-was-an-ironworker-and-my-mom-retired-from-our-public-schools/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) [Explore all 100 Ben Ray Lujan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## More Forward quotes > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [The further forward we go, the further back we have to explore in order to go forward again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gardiner/the-further-forward-we-go-the-further-back-we-have-to-explore-in/) [Stephen Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gardiner/) > [“You have a right to be sad, and a duty to move on. Only wins who wipes the tears, gather strength and move forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusto-branco/you-have-a-right-to-be-sad-and-a-duty-to-move-on-only-wins-who-wipes/) [Augusto Branco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusto-branco/) > [Don't let anything holds you back, not even your loved ones. YOU must keep moving forward, NOT backwards!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia/don-t-let-anything-holds-you-back-not-even-your-loved-ones-you-must/) [Mia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia/) > [If my wisdom could get support from officials, I think society would move forward 20 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-guangbiao/if-my-wisdom-could-get-support-from-officials-i-think-society-would/) [Chen Guangbiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-guangbiao/) > [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I'm a fan of supersymmetry, largely because it seems to be the only route by which gravity can be brought into the scheme. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-higgs/i-m-a-fan-of-supersymmetry-largely-because-it-seems-to-be-the-only/) [Peter Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-higgs/) > [I would love 'Aankhen 2' to happen. I would have Govinda and I play these two brothers and having kids who can take it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chunky-pandey/i-would-love-aankhen-2-to-happen-i-would-have-govinda-and-i-play/) [Chunky Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chunky-pandey/) > [I really tried to put my best foot forward all these years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhinav-bindra/i-really-tried-to-put-my-best-foot-forward-all-these-years/) [Abhinav Bindra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhinav-bindra/) > [As long as your curiosity is greater than your fear, you will move forward!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/as-long-as-your-curiosity-is-greater-than-your-fear-you-will-move/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [In today's day and age, one looks forward to experimenting and it pays off at times and at times it doesn't. This does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/in-today-s-day-and-age-one-looks-forward-to-experimenting-and-it-pays/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [“I'm sure if you go forward, that something you'll find it, you'll find it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaejin-insoo/i-m-sure-if-you-go-forward-that-something-you-ll-find-it-you-ll-find/) Chaejin Insoo > [I'm really looking forward to a time when generations after us look back and say how ridiculous it was that humans were driving cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-m-really-looking-forward-to-a-time-when-generations-after-us-look/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [I would not have lasted a minute, literally a minute, on this Earth without God and angels by my side, because I was born.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mattie-stepanek/i-would-not-have-lasted-a-minute-literally-a-minute-on-this-earth/) [Mattie Stepanek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mattie-stepanek/) > [You are innocent until proven guilty. And if folks have come forward, whether it is judge Roy Moore or whether it is anyone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rosendale/you-are-innocent-until-proven-guilty-and-if-folks-have-come-forward/) [Matt Rosendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rosendale/) Browse all 3,019 Forward quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. 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