Youths Are Present and Future Leaders

“YOUTHS ARE TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S LEADERS”

BY SR. EMEGWA NNEKA CONSOLATUS, Depart. Of Guidance/Counselling UNIZIK Awka

INTRODUCTION

Who is a leader? Many writers have defined leadership in different ways, but since it is a construct, one may not have a particular definition but there are definitions of leadership/ leader according to the peoples' understanding. However, in summary, “A leader”, according to George Kaitholil, “is one who leads or goes first”. A leader is an individual who has an inspiring vision and get others to buy it (Lawrence Smith). He /she is expected to draw others to follow him/her. Therefore leadership is the act of leading,

showing the way and directing a particular group of people. It consists essentially in knowing how to get people to work together, to recognize each one’s abilities and put them in the best suited place and to give all the followers the sense of their solidarity and responsibilities. From the above explanations, we can see that there are subtle differences between a leader and a ruler. A ruler is one who commands a group of people, demands respects and obedience even if he/she is not worthy. He /she controls people under him/her whether they want or not. He/ she may make laws and interpret them, but will not lift one finger to move the load he/she ties on the people’s shoulders (cf. Matt 23:1-12). He /she is a dictator and self-centered, and his/ her only goal is his/her selfish interest. He/she does not care for his/her followers (cf. Jn 10: 12-13), a hireling and the type of shepherd prophet Ezekiel condemns in chapter 34:1. He/she likes to make his/her authority felt among his/her followers. He/she always make the mistake of abusing his/her authority or power. He/she does not lead by example.

LEADERSHIP IN CHRISTIAN AND OBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVES

Leadership in the spirit of humility and service:

For Christians, Christ should be the model of every Christian leader. Christ came not to be served but to serve and...