Article Source - The Positive Observer

Over the last several months, a series of questions were presented to several school administrators and parents to share with their students and children.  Responses were gathered from these children in grades 1st through 12th. At the current time, the majority of the information supplied is from grades 1st through 9th and are from different geographic areas around the United States.

Purpose of the Exercise

The purpose of the exercise was to gather perspectives and insights from our youth.  Insights that reflect daily occurrences and approaches that all people are exposed to on a range of levels within their own immediate environment, both domestically and internationally. Children come into the world without preconceived judgments and belief systems. The early years of our youth are less conditioned by media, government and other structured entities, therefore they offer the “adult world” a more simplistic, objective and holistic viewpoint on life and the events taking place around the globe.

A Child's Take

Given the same questions, adults would most likely respond through a series of long, drawn out explanations, counterpoints and preconceived content. A child’s take is often brief, simplistic and symbolic. How often do we tend to make a bigger deal out of a situation, often based on someone or something else’s belief system? How much of our reactions are based on past experiences or limiting beliefs? Mark Twain once said, “Some of the worst things in my life never actually happened.”

Responses Given By Our Youth

Over the next several months, we will highlight a particular question and some of the responses given by our youth. Though many insights follow a particular response, several do follow different paths. It is our hope here at The Positive Observer that our viewers will consider the insights that they are reading. More importantly, we hope that many of you, especially our younger viewers, will add your own responses and insights by selecting the question on our FORUM section and placing your views there for others to view.

We just need 1) age 2) city 3) country. Imagine the range of learnings that can be obtained as these added responses originate from yet even more communities and countries from around the planet. Let’s see if we, as a global community, are really that different or similar in our belief systems...especially at the youth level.

We encourage you to build this out. This is your site…your community. Learn, grow…enjoy! 

Question #1: “What is a great leader?”

As this is an election year here in the United States, the first question to be presented seems to be an appropriate one to ask. Through the course of our lives, we are taught, experience or take notice on what a leader or leadership represents. On the surface, such characteristic may appear uniformed, but what really constitutes this is very personal and varies with each of us. Here is what some of our youth view as a good leader…

• Is someone who doesn’t follow another person who is making a bad choice. – Age 10 – Aurora, CO
• Someone who listens. – Age 9 – Chicago, IL
• The quarterback of a football team. – Age 9 – Brunswick, GA
• Someone who knows how to take control of situations in a positive manner. – Age 13 – Norfolk, VA
• A person who takes responsibility and he/she will take charge over a group of people.  He/she will do the right thing when needed, will help others, show other people what is right and be a good role model. – Age 9 – Littleton, CO
• A good leader is someone who always tries to lead people in the right direction. – Age 10 – Nassau, Bahamas
• A nice man or woman.  Fair because they listen to both sides.- Age 6 – Atlanta, GA
• Someone who shares. Someone who cares for others and loves the world. – Age 9 – Brunswick, GA
• A good leader is someone who can direct people to where they want them to be without stress. – Age 7 – Denver, CO
• Someone who understands other peoples problems and needs. – Age 14 – Norfolk, VA
• Someone who delegates jobs…doesn’t expect more from their workers than they can do themselves. – Age 10 – Chicago, IL
• Somebody who sets a good example and says you need to include everyone and plays fairly. – Age 7 – Denver, CO
• Someone you can trust. – Age 8 – Littleton, CO
• Someone who doesn’t boss…for silly reasons. – Age 10 - Chicago, IL
• Someone who leads people to do good things. – Age 10 – Littleton, CO
• A good leader is a person that knows when its time to take charge and tell people what is going to happen. They also let people voice their opinions. – Age 15 – Broomfield, CO
• A person who makes good decisions and takes responsibility for his or her actions. – Age 14 – Norfolk, VA
• Someone who can do and show how to do. – Age 9 – Littleton, CO
• A good leader is somebody who is confident in his/her ideas, and is not afraid to back that idea to critics.  A good leader is somebody who is willing to stay calm under pressure, and never back down. A leader will do what is best for the group, and not just for themselves.  – Age 16 – Littleton, CO
• A person who is compassionate but can be tough at the same time. – Age 13 – Norfolk, VA
• Someone that cares about everyone else and makes sure everyone knows what they are doing. – Age 10 – Littleton, CO
• A person who asks for opinions before making decisions, but who doesn’t get carried away with their power. – Age 14 – Norfolk, VA
• Someone who respects other people and themselves. – Age 9 – Littleton, CO
• Someone who teaches. – Age 8 – Denver, CO
• Someone who is nice and strong in a bad situation. – Age 10 – Littleton, CO
• Someone who is helpful and funny. – Age 6 – Denver, CO
• Someone that encourages good things and does good work. – Age 13 – Denver, CO
• A person who tells you good things, encourages you and guides you. – Age 13 – Denver, CO