Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1922-03-23
literary

Shortly before Rev. George Fowler
ended his pastorate of the Union
church he visited the high school and
gave the pupils vigorous and inspir-
ing address on THE Price of Leader
ship" At that time he offered a prize
for the best essay on that subject writ
ten by Junior or Senior. This prize
was given by Messrs. Kent, Cowen,
Shultis, Fowler and Fry The prize
was five dollars which were to be
expended for three books to be
awarded to the winners of first, sec
ond and third place in the contest
The essays were written and Mary
Spain won first prize, Irene Andrews
second, and Lima Ripatti third. The
winning essay appears below.
"The Price of Leadership
Like everything of value in this
world the price of leadership is high.
The first requisites are natural
ability, the desire for leadership and
a strong personality. in order that he
who aspires to be leader may exert
an influence over the people with
whom he comes in contact
The first cost is education If he
has been unable to attend school he
must educate himself. A few have
done that but they were exceptions.
and that sort of thing is no longer
necessary under the modern school
system. A college education adds to
his ability, and statistics show that it
greatly strengthens the chances of sue
cess. Besides he must know more
about his work than anyone else. He
must be an authority and this requires
devotion to the work. He must also
be able to impart his knowledge to
others.
He must be willing TO carry respon-
sibility as well as to work. The leader
is generally blamed for all of his fol-
lowers wrongdoing, and the follow
ers are just as ready to censure every
thing that does not go well with the
organization.
Faithfulness. honesty. ambition, are
all prime requisites for a leader. If
he has not these traits he will not be
trusted and leader requires the en-
tire faith of his people.
He must have practicability and
foresightedness and be able to keep
peace in the ranks and develop team
work This is one of the best proofs
of real leader.
1t is very important that leader
be judge of character and also
broadminded. He should be tolerant
of the ideas and failings of others and
develop a kindly sympathetic view of
human nature.
He must have both moral and physi-
cal courage because he VIII require
a great deal of both. 1t is one of the
most important things. 1t takes a
good deal of moral courage to go your
own way regardless of the advice.
flattery or cajoling of anyone. Often
advice should be taken and it requires
cool judgment to decide when it should
be followed and when it should be re-
jected. Physical courage is needed to
gain and hold the admiration of
others.
The leader must be able to control
his temper, desires, wishes and pas
s1ons. No one can gain an ascendency
over others until his own weaknesses
are under firm rein. All the great
men of history if they ever had temper
had it well in hand. When they could
no longer control themselves their
leadership slipped from them.
Loneliness is one of the costs of lead
ership He may have a great party
Dehlnd him and be showered with
honors and praise but the soul of a
true leader is always too great to
mingle with those around him. He
mas thoughts, aspirations and ideals
that few of his companions can ap-
preciate. The greater he is the larger
ana more distinct he stands.