As readers of this Musing may know, I have on occasion used it to publish an open letter to one or both of my grandsons about some thought or issue. The ten-year-old, Will (to the right in the above picture), had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a week-long leadership training program in D.C. last week, and the wife and I took that opportunity to spend the week touring the nation’s capital with his parents and younger brother. When I told Will he should write the Musing this month, I did not know what he would say. Well, this proud Pop-pop will let you read for yourself (with minor edits from his mom).
Dear Pop-Pop,
As you know, I just finished a fantastic week in Washington, D.C. I was there as part of an international leadership program (People to People Leadership Ambassador Program) for 5th – 8th graders. I met teachers and kids from as far away as Alaska, Belgium and the Philippines, along with kids from Alabama, Virginia and other closer states.
We did some amazing activities such as seeing military memorials, national monuments, and museums. We also got to do some cool learning activities like visiting the Institute of Peace where we discussed how peace can always prevail, even in war. We had a dinner at the Saudi Arabian Embassy, where we heard about how life and peace has progressed in Saudi Arabia over the years. We also had a great time at the Battle of Gettysburg and learned how it and other wars have helped shape our country.
It is weird to think that a bunch of ten and eleven-year-olds can be leaders, but I enjoyed learning their perspective and point of view about leadership. I learned that the best leaders are responsible, courageous, friendly, respectful and open-minded.
To be a responsible leader it means being able to take charge of a group in the best possible way for all of the group members. Sometimes, that means doing things different than you would if it were just about yourself. It also means listening to the leaders that are in charge of yourself, even if you don’t always agree. It takes a lot of courage to be a leader. Some of these kids flew around the world by themselves to be at the program!!!
Good leaders are also friendly and respectful of others, even of those that are different than us. This can be hard! The best leaders know how to forgive others and themselves (what my parents call grace). One example I learned about that I really liked was when President Grant invited Robert E. Lee to the White House after the Civil War even though they were fighting on different sides. That takes a lot of respect and grace.
The last big thing I learned was about being open-minded to other people. It can be hard to listen to other people’s ideas, when you have your heart set on your own. But sometimes others have better ideas or strategies than you do. My friend JT definitely became open-minded about dinner after seeing the line at the restaurant he had his heart set on. 🙂
Good leaders also know how to have fun and let people be silly sometimes. Leaders don’t always have to act perfect. My roommates and I learned this our last night at the program, when we set off two stink bombs in our room. We were very thankful for grace from our teacher!! But we had a good laugh and made some great memories.
I love you,
Will