What It Takes

     Have you ever played kickball on the playground when you were younger? If so, you'll know where I'm going with this. There was always that one kid who was picked to be, "Team Captain." Why was he picked? Was he better than everyone else? Was it because he was older? As I've grown older, I've seen this happen and experienced it myself a few times. In scouting, I learned at a young age what being a captain or leading is all about. It's hard work, dedication, and being responsible to make the right choices and teach them to younger or less-experienced people.

     Being a Boy Scout, one who is very close to his Eagle Scout, I'm looked to as a leader in the troop. The younger scouts have questions, and the other older scouts and I answer them. If the younger boys have a merit badge, or an assignment they need help with, they come to the older boys to get advice and help. This has helped me realize what being a leader is, and how it should be done correctly. A leader is someone who knows how to complete a task, or solve a problem, and lead his or her group to success or victory.

     So what does it take to be a leader? Is it their natural charisma and charm that allows them to become the decision maker? No, most of the time,  the leader is the most experienced person in that field. It's the person who knows right from wrong, good from bad, and is able to show and influence others who follows them to make the right decision as well. They've gone through the troubles and strife of following a bad leader and made the decision to better themselves so that they could better everyone around them. They are counted on by everyone to be able to make the right decision in times of struggle. No one ever said being a leader was easy, because if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

     My junior year in high school wasn't excellent. Far from it in fact. So for my senior year, I plan to become a better leader. I want to set the best example that I can possibly set. On the soccer field, in the classroom, at the Boy Scout meetings, and everywhere else. It's time that I step up again and prove why I deserve to be called a leader. And who knows, maybe through my hard work and determination, I may inspire someone else to carry on the virtues of being a leader.