Hakim Hazim, L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST Intervention Specialist

In modern times we have an insatiable desire to have more. We want more recognition, resources, opportunities, access and the list goes on and on. It is easy to become dissatisfied at your place of work, your relationships and even your gifts and talents. Contentment seems to be an enemy of progress. Well maybe the problem is not where you are at; maybe it is your perception of where you are and what led you there.

Let me explain. I remember when I was a young man playing basketball on a team with a history of decades of losing and not much promise in sight. I had a long list of reasons— compelling ones I thought at the time —as to why this continued to happen. First on the list was me not playing. After much reflection, I realized the solution was not to leave or transfer schools to avoid things. The answer was to change the culture, and this in turn would change the course of our school’s history. By taking the initiative to bond and compete as a team in the off season, our school set several records in the next two years and went from last in our conference to champions and one of the best teams in the state.

What is true in sports is true in life: People are people. All of us desire success, comfort, challenge and camaraderie. No matter how difficult your present situation may be, no matter how dismal the history may be, ask yourself these three questions: “What led me here? Am I supposed to be here? How do I turn these things around?” Through this questioning, you may conclude a reason for your being there.  Sometimes we are placed in perceived sinking ships in order to preserve them. Be the best where you are.

By Nicole D. Hayes

women@leadership1st.info

        Director for Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST

Chicago. Detroit. Kansas. Los Angeles. Your small town neighborhood. Bullies don’t just live in the inner city. And they don’t always confront you in a back alley. Sometimes they’re students at a small rural high school, or they occupy the corner office at a Fortune 500 company.  These variances weigh little on what makes someone a bully. What is certain is this: Bullying is a learned behavior that doesn’t go away just because you get older. So what makes someone a bully?

Bullying occurs when no core values are being taught at home. Bullies use anger and violence to control and manipulate others when it’s perceived they have no other options. If the behavior is not addressed, the bully will continue to inflict ‘anger to influence’ upon the next person. But those of us who know the right way can reverse this negative behavior.

Since 2006, L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST has taught that “leadership begins within.” As a national community development organization focusing on educational initiatives, we are investing in our communities to build productive generations. We’re affecting change from the inside through positive character traits that when exhibited outwardly, these persons will add great value to society. L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST does this through Loyalty, Education, Accountability, Discipline, Empowerment, Respect, Service, Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance 1ST. People who consistently put these traits first, have the power to positively lead and self-direct in all situations. This implies that the answers not only lie within our communities, they also lie within.

To address bullying and other issues, in July 2010, L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1^ST launched its “Mentoring Challenge to You (MC2U),” a national certification program to recruit, train and develop community mentors who will in turn deliver solutions to identified issues in their area. Cities can sponsor Mentoring Challenges by contacting options@leadership1st.info to challenge their business leaders to invest in young people. Boise, Idaho was one of the first participating cities.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1^ST Intervention Specialist and MC2U creator, Hakim Hazim says, “The task at hand is that of formulating successful mentoring strategies and programs nationwide for at-risk young people. This is the burden of every interested and responsible adult…we need a commitment.”

We’ve also begun Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1^ST, a program to equip and mentor girls and women to become “change agents” and live out productive behaviors, since bullies aren’t always male.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1^ST is honored to serve with the members of the be a STAR Advisory Council and Creative Coalition to implement anti-bullying strategies. Without an individual and collective commitment, our communities will continue to decay at an accelerated pace.

For more on L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1^ST products and services, please visit http://www.leadership1st.info/