People are People

'Be excited by the opportunity you have to bring out the best in other people.'
Mark Sampson

What a thought that we are that powerful to be able to bring out the best in others. That our actions and words can inspire others to be better leaders, youth council members.. to be better people.

It has been said to me in recent days, 'It's not the programme, it's the people.' The ones who care about the development of others, the ones who take the time out to listen and support individuals, the ones who want what is best for their peers, the ones who stride with you, the ones who give you something to follow, the ones who nudge you from behind to keep on going. The ones.

People are people. The more we remember that, the more we will adapt who we are and our support to enhance the potential of others. To be that nudge in the back, or the one sprinting to keep up with the ambitions of others.

Something I have done a lot of thinking about over the last season [and beyond], is what makes a good leader? Everyone has their own style, their own comfort. However, it's rather likely that our leadership style interchanges on a regular basis.

Is a leader, someone who creates followers and is apart from the group? Is a leader, someone who leads from within? Takes people on a journey, is a tour guide not a travel agent? Is a leader, someone who has faced challenges, been broken numerous times, but keeps on coming back and trying again? Is a leader, someone who is a little bit different, creative, innovative, someone who does something different or better?

What if a leader, is all of those things? Has experienced the challenges, developed resilience, learnt to take people with them, have found ways to be different?

The 60 Youth Leaders who attended FFA16 are exactly that, their own leader - even more than that - their own person, with their own perceptions of what 'good' and 'great' looks like. They are authentic, but know how to look for the best attributes of others which might work and build into their armoury.. build into it, not become it. As noted last week, lets remember the difference between role models and mirrors.

Thrown in at the deep end, our youth leaders have been challenged to think about themselves, what they stand for and believe in, their values, how can they support and influence others? Everyone is a role model, not just to those behind us but to those above and beside us. Trying to support those thoughts is a challenge in itself, an exciting one as the top line says. But we are part of this process to, how can we support the development of others if we aren't sure of who we are? Or have any idea of the process? A journey we all must undertake in order to effectively support others.. no one will ever crack it. We're evolving all of the time. Developing ways of thinking and ways of being. But I don't think we can appropriately support others with ways we wouldn't be prepared to test ourselves.

The challenge in being your own person, leader, light bulb, whatever, is that everyone sees the journey from their own set of eyes. We forget that it is ok to accept someone else's opinion and way of being if we feel that it makes sense and fits with us. We don't have to challenge and revise things and thoughts all of the time.. sometimes an idea just sits nicely. As long as we know why we are accepting thoughts then that is what matters, surely?

More often, we might revise and challenge thoughts to either further our understanding or to accept them on our terms. 'Yeah, I like that point, but it isn't quite relevant - how about looking at it like this..' Shaping ideas and thoughts before internalising them.

Every now and again we will resist thoughts, 'No, I disagree and wont accept that.' Resisting thoughts it ok, you're allowed to disagree, that shows you are sure of thoughts at that moment in time. I wouldn't ever want to dismiss thoughts completely though, maybe come back to them at a later date. Try and understand the view of others, they're a person too. Just because it might not be your way, doesn't mean it is the wrong way.

Being your own leader/ person is always going to require these thoughts of accepting, resisting and revising. Amending thoughts along the way. Knowing that where you are now, is not where you will be in in a month, 5 months or a years time.

Surround yourself with people who understand the journey and want to be a part of yours.

Be excited by the opportunity to develop others, be excited by the opportunity to develop yourself.