While National FFA Week is meant for celebration, it also offers many ways to grow as leaders. This year, hone your leadership skills and put them into action throughout National FFA Week by finding inspiration from President George Washington. There is a lot we can learn from his examples of leadership and put into practice this National FFA Week.
Find Opportunities To Practice
Washington was known for his incredible military leadership, but did you know he learned all his military training on the job? Rather than learning from books on military strategy, Washington volunteered for active service at age 21, thus beginning a career that changed the world.
Volunteering for chapter activities can help you demonstrate your leadership abilities and develop those skills in a welcoming environment. Sign up to lead your FFA Day of Service or develop a competition for Give FFA Day. While it may be challenging, you’ll learn how to manage people who may have conflicting opinions and learn how to create collaboration.
Learn To Follow
Washington received a formal education and showed an aptitude for mathematics. This led him to a surveying career where he completed more than 200 survey assignments across 60,000 acres by following the maps and guidance of other individuals. By following their instructions with precision, Washington established a lucrative career that would span decades.
If you often find yourself in the driver’s seat, now is the time to view leadership from a different perspective. Think about what you would want a follower to be doing, and then do it. This approach enables you to think about leadership from a different perspective and how to encourage this kind of behavior in the future.
Engage Those Around You
At Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, nearly 2,000 of Washington’s soldiers died due to brutal conditions at the Pennsylvania encampment. While many suffered because of their desire for a free country, historian David McCullough states many soldiers would go anywhere and do anything because of their love for General Washington.
Although some people are born with the ability to use charm and charisma to their advantage, it is something that can be learned. Listening attentively, taking an interest in people and giving them a voice can be key motivators for success. While your chapter spends this week sharing positive stories and messages about agriculture, look for ways to practice engaging those around you.
