The last few days I had some ideas write for me next post, but watching some of the pre-game Super Bowl festivities makes me reflect on the importance of training our leaders to lead! By the way I'm writing this as I watch the halftime show of the Super Bowl...I guess there's a requirement to not wear clothes if you're the headlining act. Unbelievable!
Well, I'm a track coach, and recently our coaching staff met with administration to discuss expectations we have that a parent strongly disagrees. We have some differing views on training, parenting, etc. During the meeting, he made the comment, "You all expect too much of my daughter. She's only fifteen, way too young to be a leader."
What? She's too young to be a leader! I didn't even know how to process that statement. Is he saying he doesn't believe in his daughter? Is he saying he hasn't trained her right to be leader? Is he saying he can't let her go and therefore must protect her from anything, other than her father, that could influence her? I'm still left dumbfounded by the comment and have lost much sleep over it. The following day I even presented the quote to my class to write about it (don't worry, I didn't tell them where I heard it), and their comments were enlightening, mostly portraying the same thoughts I've had. I told them discussing the quote was challenging them to "think deeply," but really I think I was just looking for support:)
I give the example to make a point. Ladies and Gentlemen, we must train and inspire our children to aspire for greatness, which only comes through training them to be leaders. I've been talking to my son, since he could process what being a leader meant, about being a leader. Of course I've heard all the excuses: "But they're older than me..." or "It's too hard..." or "But nobody else is doing it..." Hey, I get his points. We've all been there, and from someone who played on sports teams through college, I get them. Being a leader isn't always easy. Okay, let's be honest, sometimes it places you on an island, leaving you feeling all alone. Yet, going back to my previous example for my track athlete, what am I supposed to say on the first day of track practice? "Team, I want each of you to make a decision right now to be the best follower you can be! Don't try to lead, and don't try to set the example! You're too young, and I don't want you overworking yourselves. I want each of you to find the best follower on the team and follow him/her. I want each one of you to aspire to greatness. I want you to follow!" That might be a little sarcastic, but the reality is that the parent was simply saying something that too many people believe today, especially in regards to our young boys. We are so worried about protecting our children and enabling them that either they don't know how to lead, or, as is the case with my athlete, we won't let them lead.
As a result, today's youth don't have other youths to look up to. I see it in my classroom every day, and I see it on our sports teams. In fact, that's why athletes like Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis, Kobe Bryant, etc. are so admired by the media as they set examples that so many others don't.
At the same time, so many of those athletes are negatively judged and condemned because they do stand out as leaders as we have a hard time embracing leaders because we don't see them anymore.
Think about what you can do to prepare your children to be leaders, because if you don't they will easily fall prey to the many pressures society places upon them. Set the example and lead!
1)What are some things you've done to train your children to lead?
2)Any inspiring or uninspiring stories of leadership?
Agreed. We are a soft society that won't allow children to be challenged because it might upset them.
ReplyDeleteNot only are we protecting our children from challenges, but we're not challenging them to get outside of themselves. In reference to that parent example I gave, I just want to ask him how much time has he encouraged his children to put into volunteering or helping others.
ReplyDeleteI think our society has a very narrow definition of "leadership." We see a leader as someone who takes charge, like a boss over employees.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, leadership is much more nuanced than just being the loudest voice or the strongest opinion. Leadership means treating others with dignity, staying true to one's values despite adversity, knowing how to disagree graciously, and maintaining humility in the face of success.
Some people are better suited personality-wise to be a leader by quiet example than to be the loudest voice demanding allegiance. I see this in my own son, who at age 9, believes strongly in social justice and is already working the best he can to right wrongs as he sees them. He is soft-spoken and shy, probably labelled a "follower" by his teachers because he rarely instigates anything. Yet, teachers and classmates alike acknowledge his integrity and are aware he is a young man who is genuinely concerned for the well-being of others.
You're correct in saying even followers have followers. What each person needs to know is that he is somebody's leader.