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A leader from a youth’s point of view

  • Published
  • By Col. Pennie Pavlisin and Hannah Pavlisin
  • 375th Medical Operations Support Group Commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Over the past month, my daughters and I have been quite involved in Girl Scouting activities to include a Girl Scout Silver Award Project where we discussed topics of leaders, mentors, positive role models and why it's important to learn and demonstrate one's leadership skills at all age levels.

In its simplicity, and according to my 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, "leader is but a six letter word that should describe your role models and all who you look to for direction and guidance. Not everyone steps up to be one, but the ones who do are usually born with it. Leadership isn't just a word or a thing, but a talent. Leaders' jobs are to reassure their colleagues and all who they are in charge of that matters will be resolved and that you can lead them through the barriers of struggle and hardship."

As we discussed this topic further, she decided to write a poem about her viewpoint. "L is for leading the way. E is for enthusiasm with all you do and say. A is for always open to constructive input. D is for wise decisions, and starting on the right foot. E is for energy that you bring to all you work with, and R is for the responsibility that you can share as a gift."

According to Youth Venture, "a leader is a person who guides others toward a common goal, showing the way by example, and creating an environment in which other team members feel actively involved in the entire process. A leader is not the boss of the team but, instead, the person that is committed to carrying out the mission." For those of us in and working for the military, our daily lives are just this. We all work as a team for a common bond of carrying out our mission.

As I listened and really heard our mother/daughter leadership discussion, I realized how eloquently Hannah could express her views that are not any different than those of us with more years and experience. As adults, we tend to analyze and overstate the obvious on many occasions, so when there are times like this, it's refreshing to get back to the basics. We can all learn from our youth when we just listen. Have you listened to a youth today?