"LEADERS DON'T CREATE FOLLOWERS, THEY CREATE MORE LEADERS."
WHAT IS A LEADER?
The word leader comes from the English verb “to lead” which means guide, to indicate the way. By definition, a leader is someone who represents a company, a team, an assembly or a country. He or she makes high-risk decisions and handles complex and confusing situations. These abilities to lead others are crucial in reaching predefined decisions.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE LEADER
True leaders resist temptation and rise above it. They connect and don't divide. They focus on the similarities, not the differences. The loudest voice is not the leader and harsh words do not connect with others. Blood on the streets is not a mature response to disagreement and doing something else only adds to the destructive division we see today.
Thus, Toussaint Louverture's leadership places him in the ranks of the most brilliant leaders of all time. Through his military genius and his political acumen, Toussaint Louverture transformed an entire slavery society. He believed that the reality of his vision for the Haitian Nation would only be possible in unity, when he declared: “Unite; for combination is stronger than witchcraft.”
Even today, he has become an important historical figure in the black liberation movement, especially in America.
Martin Luther King was silenced by hatred. However, his example carried moral weight in his nonviolent struggle against racial segregation. He became the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was successful because he shared a positive idea to replace a negative idea without attacking others. He stated that: « Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. »
The former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest leaders of our time, grew up in suffering, hardship and adversity. Despite everything, his leadership was second to none. Nelson Mandela devoted his wisdom, his courage, his thought, his ethics, his humanism to fighting for the African people and their development. Even after his 27 years in prison for his commitment, he had to put aside his bitterness to create the conditions for a way out of the crisis on the basis of dialogue. Because, he firmly believed that there is nothing more sacred than the protection of the rights of all human beings.
In addition, the famous Nelson Mandela also led a fight for children and believes that they are the leaders of tomorrow. He said in a speech: « The young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow. » In this quote, Nelson Mandela saw great hope in our children. Facing the future, it encourages us to believe in them and helps them to better prepare. Because, they will have a greater responsibility and more pressure for sustainable practices.
In other words, our future leaders must acquire skills to respond to complex global challenges such as new social, technological and scientific demands, climate change, violence, insecurity, epidemics and the future economy.
HOW TO PREPARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS?
Above all, it is undeniable that the preparation of leaders imposes an enormous responsibility which should not be taken lightly. Because, to prepare leaders, we must not only imagine how we want them tomorrow, but also be the leaders that we hope to develop in the generations that will follow us.
Children learn to lead by watching us lead and by observing the world around them. Therefore, it is crucial to be good examples for children and to teach them to organize themselves, to focus and to build deep and connected relationships.
But, when we perpetuate hatred, vulgarity, anger, violence, division, outrage and corruption, we instill these values in them as an example.
While academic skills remain important, they are not sufficient to form thoughtful, productive and engaged citizens. Parents also have their share of responsibility. Because the children we are raising today will become the male and female citizens of tomorrow.
Like us, they will undoubtedly have a family of their own and there will be many who will guide us tomorrow. In this remarkable quote, Nelson Mandela reminds us that: "Our children are the foundation on which we will build our future, they are the nation's dearest asset."