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Originally Posted by phrontist
The tallest blade of grass gets cut first.
Almost always being a truly driven, unique, outspoken individual is much more difficult then going with the flow. Is it worth it? It's hard to say, and a lot of people don't want to take the risk. Can you blame them?
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On a related but somewhat different note, a wise person once said, "That which does not kill me, only makes me stronger."
The tallest blade of grass may indeed often get cut first. Yes, the individual who tries to push forward in a positive manner may have their ideas shot down. And yes, much of this is due to the media emulating an image of conformity and a negative attitude toward any straying from the status quo.
Let us take this thread as a reminder, though. Those individuals that try to advance the well-being of the situation must always remember that they have to persevere, because doing so can only make them stronger. This strength, in turn, can help them express their beliefs to their peers even better. Their peers may laugh a little bit more - eventually, though, they might actually process the thoughts that are being conveyed to them, and, themselves, feel competent to do something, too.
The most successful movements in history have started with one or few individuals. Look at what Gandhi or Susan B. Anthony accomplished, for example - they were in the same exact situation as some of FIRST team's students may be in, today. They had their ideas shot down. But eventually, they gained a voice in their surroundings. They found people who felt the same, and empowered them.
Human nature makes people realize, "Hey, I believe such-and-such, too. I was scared, but look at this person over here, he/she is expressing their ideas. Hey, wait a minute, he/she is only human, too. I can do that if I have the will to, everyone had to start off somewhere, right?" This is where the whole FIRST deal comes in again. I = inspiration. While the adults definitely do inspire their teams, the students have the ability to inspire their peers to express their ideas, as well.
So yes, I have to agree with the anonymous statement that I quoted. Actually, I would like to modify it to read,
"That which does not kill me, only makes me and those surrounding me stronger" - because indeed does it help indirectly help others to see that they, too, can make a difference.
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Originally Posted by Bharat Nain
Leadership is no joke because when you are a leader, people want to follow you. They want to copy you. If you do the wrong thing, they do the wrong thing. There are going to be obstacles, if the leader does not stand strong there will be chaos. There will be an opposition. Another person who wants to be a leader but has wrong values and people will even be willing to follow this person. If the real leader is not strong, then the wrong things will happen. Leaders have to be go-getters. If they put off work, everyone will.
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To add to Bharat's definition of a leader and add to what I had said earlier - I believe that a leader is someone who is willing to embrace what others have to say, regardless of whether or not what is voiced coincides with one's own opinions. A leader stays open-minded at all times, allowing others to step up.