Duties Of A Great Leader

I leave August 17th to attend Trinity Western University; a school in Langley, B.C., Canada.
I have been fortunate enough to receive a leadership scholarship, which will pay for my first year's tuition costs.

Likewise, I intend to take several leadership roles within the University; not to mention, I will be practicing the full year with the men's basketball team for the University.

My goal is to do everything that I can to build my character, as an esteemed role model about the TWU campus. I've even taken steps within my community at home, along with strengthening my spirituality within the church, as I strive to become an adequate leader.

However, what does it mean to be an "adequate leader?"

I'd like to take this time to discuss my personal visions into what, I believe, represents those certain charater duties that make for a great leader:

1. Must provide strength for his/her leader
----Most leaders report to a person of higher authority. These are mentors, or guides, if you will. A great leader must also be a great follower, and must always maintain a certain level of peace, and faith in all that he wishes to accomplish. As a leader, your authority must always be able to trust that you are on top of things. It comes as a great relief when your authority does not have to carry his leader physically, mentally, or emotionally; for, he has too many other things to manage. A leader should be of the upmost assistance, constantly keeping his authority at ease within the mind, body, and spirit.

2. Must have a true and engraved sense of respect for his/her leader, and acceptance for/tolerance of his authority's personality, and way of doing things
----We are all different; thus, your way of doing things may not always coincide with your authority's way of doing things. However, those differences should never be allowed to cause a problem between you and your authority, as a leader. If so, there is a lack of respect that needs to be restored. The fact that you and your authority do not agree on how to accomplish any particular goal should not matter, as long as the goal is accomplished. As a leader, you must work hard and efficiently to walk in agreement with your authority at all times, submitting to his way at all times; for, the chemistry between a leader and his guide is much more valuable and important than who is right.

3. Must make the advancement of his/ her leader's wishes his/her top priority.
----At all times the teacher must be able to trust in his appointed leader's level of efficiency. At times, as a leader, there may be distractions or other matters of interest; However, as a leader you must uplift the wishes of your authority over your own with a passion for achieving a similar goal, which outweighs any personal desires, or individual contentment. A leader must remain devoted to the vision and purpose of his/her authority, following orders immediately and correctly.

4. Must possess endless strength, pushing through any resistance without giving way under harsh treatment.
----A great leader must not show weakness to his followers; It is through the leaders continual strength that the weaker individuals within the group become stronger. Likewise, a leader's authority must be able to count on his leader's strength to carry on difficult tasks in times of crisis or desperation. Never quit! It is through the maintaining of your strength, and the constant encouragement of your peers that you will develop character, as a valuable and trustworthy leader.

5. Must be an excellent communicator with the upmost support for his/her authority
----Communication skills are vital for every leader too attain. At all times, the authority must be able to trust in his leaders ability to relay messages or orders to his peers. This comes with establishing a healthy, close relationship between the leader and the person of authority. A leader should never hide anything from his teacher. In some cases, there may be situations that are better dealt with by the leader himself/herself; however, the leader should always feel comfortable going to the authority for advice on how to deal with the situation. If anyone ever says to you, "I want to tell you something, but you must promise not to tell the man in charge", you should feel comfortable as a leader telling them to hold their breath, as you will do no such thing. You owe it to your teacher to reveal anything that may cause problems for the overall team, or group, or community; for, it is he that possesses the expertise. Never tell your group something simply to save your reputation as a leader, which may corrupt the authorities ability to control his group. Both pride and secrecy are traps, which lead to failed chemistry.

By no means are these ALL of the qualities of a leader. There are many different ways to develop great leadership characteristics. However, I can asswure you that If you stick to these principles, you will be much more of a leader to your peers, than if you choose to simply ignore them.

~T$ God Bless