To Lead

What does it mean to be a leader? “To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less” —Andre Malraux. To me this is the true meaning of being a leader, someone who takes every thought, concern, hope, and anguish of those beneath him and acts appropriately. A leader means to be someone who lives not for them self but for others and whole heartedly enjoys every single moment of it. To lead is like riding towards the beating war drums of an approaching army. All will hear it: some will flee like cowards after every thump, some will pretend like the beats were never uttered, but others will answer the call valiantly with a quickness in their steps and a sense of pride like no other; knowing that they themselves have chosen this path. What does it mean to be a leader? Well, simply it means one who’ll stand up and fight for others. This doesn’t mean as a leader you’re the caped crusader or some kind of masked vigilante. It means you’re the person who everyone looks to because they know you’ll say what is true and right in their own hearts. It means you’re the one who’ll guide and motivate them when every ounce of hope from their mortal body has been drained away and all they have left to function on is your guidance. Maybe now we lack this opportunity to show courage and leadership amongst the many fires and clashes of war but the same concepts of leadership can be applied to our more modern times. One can still “battle” the ideas that are contrary to the personal beliefs of your organization, repulse an attack upon the members of your organization by protecting and promoting them, and deal with different challenges presented in every day life by problem solving and motivating. Thus is the “war” waged every day by a leader--- the constant struggle to not only get the job done but also provide purpose, motivation, and direction to those beneath him.
FCCLA is no different; it requires a solid leader or chapter president that will guide the members in their