Post 9

"The heart of good leadership is sacrifice."

All good leaders must sacrifice. For example, this year one on our starting football unit quit because he wasn't playing the position he desired to play. Though our team went without him, because of his selfishness our team lost an asset that could have made a difference in some of the outcomes of the season. On the flip side, a leader that chooses to play for the team rather than himself will be sacrificing what he may desire. In doing so, he will then have earned the respect of his teammates and add to the influence he has on others.

In what ways do you display courage to those whom you influence?

In all honesty, I cannot answer this question. With the definition of courage being to face your fears I do not know a situtation that I have publically done this. I know that I make sacrifices for the team and though I do fear things, I have yet to encounter a situtation that has struck fear into my heart on the playing field or when those whom I influence are around. If something has happened where I have displayed courage when others were watching, I cannot recall it.

What does courage have to do with leadership?

"Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others." Winston Churchill

Courage places your fears aside and allows you to progress. For example, if Coach Arledge were to annouce that we were going to scrimmage Cherry Creek before we go and start the season, most people would freak out once they found out the reputation that this school has. It would take the leaders on the team to stand up and offer encouragement and inspire all the players to go ahead and play, even though they themselves will be feeling the exact same emotions.