The Hot Coal
I know you’re just a kid. You don’t know much about how the world works. You don’t have many skills yet and you’re not very strong. But I know you have a “vision”, a picture in your head, of how the world could be better. That “vision” is blurry, and it’s hard to talk about, yet it’s there, like a spark or a hot coal, waiting to be fanned into flame!
The world is in desperate need of people like you to make a difference, to turn that vision into reality. The world is in desperate need of good leaders.
By “good leaders,” I mean “good”, not “evil.”
A “good” leader
If you want to be a good leader, you must stand for what is true and right. If you want to have integrity and not compromise or take shortcuts with the truth, you will be attacked from every side. It is not easy to be a good leader. But it’s worth it!
A leader does two things. Firstly, a leader has an inspiring vision of the future. Secondly, a leader persuades their people to act in a way that will bring about that vision.
Think about the best leaders you know. Maybe you have a football coach, a teacher, parent or influencerin mind. Excellent leaders understand their people. They know how to communicate their vision, how to get their people to take action. We all want to follow an excellent leader. If the leader is truly exceptional, we hear their people saying things like, “I would follow her anywhere!” or “I would go with him through fire!”
Who would follow you?
What about you? Are you a leader? Who would follow you through fire?
If the answer is “nobody,” don’t feel embarrassed. Most people in the world are not leaders. To be a leader, you need to hone your skills of vision and communication. You need to understand people. To be an exceptional leader that people will follow through fire, you need to win the love and confidence of your people. That takes commitment and skill.
How to become an exceptional leader
How to become an exceptional leader in six steps.
- MIX with your people. Get to know them and listen to them.
- WANT the best for them; have a vision for them, even if they can’t see this vision for themselves.
- SHOW that you care for them; be transparent with your emotions.
- HELP them with their problems. Do something for them they cannot do themselves.
- When they reveal their confidence in you and your vision,
- INVITE them in, and GIVE them ownership and responsibility.
This is Jotham - Author 