How to make a greater impact as a leader

During the summer months, because school was out and my parents didn't want my siblings and me at home, eating up all the food, we were taken to the Boys and Girls Club.

I was in the 7th grade at the time, and the day started like any other.  

We arrived at the Boys and Girls Club, we met up with our friends, and we were enjoying our free time when something happened.

I walked over to the gym to play basketball, and I noticed three boys bullying another boy.  

At that moment, I thought about how I felt growing up. At times I didn't feel like I fit in; all I wanted was to feel accepted; I felt on edge and sometimes alone.  

I thought to myself, "I can't just let this happen to him," so I walked over to the group.

A wave of fear ran through my body. My back started to sweat; my knees began to shake; my mind started to race.

I thought, "What if they beat me up? Will they jump me? I've never been in a fight before. I don't know any of these guys. What if they have brothers who will come after me. I still have time to turn around."

I then thought, "What if I were in his shoes? What if he was one of my brothers or sister? He's alone. I have to do something."

The time is always right to do what is right - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

I walked up to the group, and at that moment, I gathered my courage and released my feelings of fear, frustration, hurt, loneliness, and insecurity.

I yelled, "Hey, you guys leave him alone. He didn't do anything to you!"

I thought for sure they would beat me up, but to my amazement, they stopped, looked at me, turned around, and walked away saying nothing to me.

I was thanked, and I went back to my normal activities.

Seven years later, I was walking to my car after church service, and I was stopped by a guy who was visibly out of breath from running to catch me.  

He said, "Do you know who I am?" I responded, "I'm sorry, no, I don't remember you."

He said, "I remember you. You saved me from those guys at the Boys and Girls Club. I just wanted to thank you again. Nobody ever bothered me again after you did that for me."

The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own - Simon Sinek

We all have the power to step up and positively impact others. We choose from moment to moment how we will show up. You don't have to wait for a new year or a new day to begin. You can start now.

You may be hesitant or fearful or unsure but move forward in the direction of what is right to you. Just make sure it's from the heart.  

Start focusing on positively impacting people if you want to grow as a leader.  

Thank you,

Shermain Melton

Initial publish date: 1/24/2020