John Maxwell covered many leadership centered topics that could all be tied back to the T.A.L.O.N.S. program. But some ideas I found were more related, and could help those currently in T.A.L.O.N.S. and those who will be joining. T.A.L.O.N.S. is a program of independent, bright leaders. Enter the Tension Challenge.

Tension Challenge 

John Maxwell explains that this challenge of being caught in the middle can be stressful and pressurizing for leaders. I found this concept relevant, more so since joining the T.A.L.O.N.S. program. As someone who was used to being one of the few leaders in my class from elementary school through middle school, T.A.L.O.N.S. was a big change. Being surrounded by so many leaders my age was new for me. And I’ll admit that I felt a little lost at first, unsure of how to still be a leader when those around me were just as capable. So John Maxwell’s suggestions for relieving the Tension Challenge really made sense to me. Over the weeks I’ve been in high school I have become comfortable with this new normal of a class full of leaders. But knowing this challenge isn’t only one that I face made me become even more comfortable with it. And knowing this, when new students join the program next year I’m going to try my best to help them understand it too. In order to better myself and to help better them too.

 

Fulfillment Challenge 

The Fulfillment challenge is another concept John Maxwell introduced that stuck with me. It explains how, while leaders prefer the front more than the middle, in order to be 360^o they have to be able to lead from anywhere. John Maxwell says that “leadership is more disposition than position.” T.A.L.O.N.S. has many leaders. Like with the Tension challenge, it can be overwhelming and confusing if you were used to the front. The way to solve the Fulfillment challenge is to see the big picture. Understand winning with teamwork, and appreciate your position in the middle. When you’re comfortable in your position you can work to influence those around you. In T.A.L.O.N.S. you can’t wait for someone to offer you the front of the group, so you need to be able to lead from where you are. This will help you be more flexible as a leader, and more confident in your skills when you can lead effectively without having to be the head of the pack. Understanding this concept myself will help me and the rest of my class grow our leadership alongside each other instead of ahead of each other. We’ll be stronger leaders, but still remain connected.

 

Walk Slowly Through the Halls

What does John Maxwell say about leading down? He says to walk slowly through the halls. Match the speed that those behind you are walking, connect with them. Now he doesn’t mean to physically walk slower in halls. He means figuratively. He means that you can’t rush forward or go too slow when you’re in a group setting. With a leader you might have to speed up. With those who fall behind you’ll have to slow down. In leading, in learning, in anything. And now this concept’s relation to T.A.L.O.N.S. There is a certain expectancy of what speed people will travel at when they join this program. But once you’re actually in it, you might find that you’re travelling too fast for everyone else. Or maybe you’re travelling too slow for everyone else. Regardless, you’re most likely going to have to modify your pace in order to keep up with the rest of the group. But in both situations, that can be frustrating. Which is why this concept is important. In a leadership program like T.A.L.O.N.S. you need to be able to connect with those around you at their level. You can’t hold anyone behind, but you also can’t be too far ahead. Finding the balance, and knowing how to walk slowly through the halls, is important to know in this program. Knowing how to connect with people who progress at all levels will make you a more personable leader, and probably more approachable too. Which is why walking slowly through the halls will help me as a leader.

These concepts gave me a better understanding of leadership as a whole, so I’m going to pass on the knowledge to help those around me too.