Something different...

Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the LORD.” So then they would return to their home.
Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.
(1 Samuel 2:18-26 ESV)
After the same old, same old, Samuel is a breath of fresh air.  He is ministering, serving the LORD, continuing to grow closer to God and truly serving others.  He is distinctly contrasted with Eli's sons, who were in a sense "the status quo", doing what everyone else was doing, even though they were supposed to be the best Israel had to offer.  It tells us something not only about where our hope comes from in looking for people to lead us, but also about the change we need as individuals.  Seeking God and serving others is more than a catch phrase.  It is the only way a leader will be worth the time of day, and it's the only way our lives will be heading where they ought.  Let's not use a harder standard on our leaders than we do ourselves.  Let's do something different.