YOU DON'T NEED A BADGE TO LEAD! (Wisdom from John C. Maxwell: Leadership Lesson 2 for Kids)

[00:00:02] You can do anything! We all have a God-given destiny. Never let negative thoughts or people tell you you can't be great! Because you will fearfully and wonderfully made. There's greatness inside all of us! But greatness doesn't happen! It takes boldness, courage, and leadership! Welcome to the Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show! Where we think big, big broadly, and make amazing things happen!

[00:00:32] I'm Destiny! I'm Daniel! We challenge you to step into your future, take action, and create a legacy that lasts! Let's go! When Leo was just a little younger, he had an experience he would remember for a very, very long time. It all began one bright, sunny Tuesday morning.

[00:00:59] Leo came marching into the backyard, wearing a very serious explorer hat. Around his neck hung a pair of binoculars. On his back, an enormous backpack. And pinned proudly on the front of his shirt was a handmade golden badge. His sister, Lily the Lion, leaned closer to read it. Leo, where does your stuff?

[00:01:29] Say leader? Because I'm the leader! Oh, who decided that? Leo smiled proudly and said, I did! Grandma Lion was listening inside and she knew today was going to be a very interesting adventure. Leo had planned the Great Backyard Expedition. There would be trails, a creek, a mysterious old

[00:01:59] tree. And according to Leo's tree. And according to Leo's very official looking map, possibly treasure! Okay everyone, line up! Lily, carry the snacks! You! You're over there! Carry the magnifying glass! Someone, grab extra water bottles! And everybody, follow me! Leo marched forward, confidently. Ten steps later, he turned around. Nobody was there.

[00:02:29] Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? Leo was kneeling beside a tiny ladybug and watching a beautiful butterfly take flight into the trees. One friend was still tying a shoe, another was helping someone zip a backpack, and absolutely no one was following Leo. Everybody, you're supposed to follow me. I'm the leader, Leo exclaimed.

[00:02:58] He pointed proudly at his badge. And just then, Grandma stepped onto the porch carrying a basket. She looked at Leo, then at the badge, then at everyone else. Darling, may I ask you something, Grandma Lion said. Yes, Grandma Lion. Does wearing the word leader make someone a leader? Leo looked down at his badge, then back at Grandma.

[00:03:28] Well, it says it right here. It certainly does. But perhaps there's more to leadership than just a badge, darling. Oh, like what could that be? Grandma Lion smiled. I think your adventure might teach you. A few minutes later, everyone was finally ready. Leo marched toward the trail. This time, they followed.

[00:03:56] Soon, they reached a little creek across the water. A row of flat stones created a path to the other side. Lily hopped across. One, two, three, four. Come on, guys. Easy. Leo crossed right behind her. And the rest of the children followed, too. But when they reached the other side, Leo noticed something.

[00:04:25] One of their younger friends hadn't moved. The little boy stood quietly at the edge of the creek. He stared at the stones and tilted his head to the side. Come on, just cross. It's easy, Leo said. The boy didn't move. But then, Leo noticed the little boy's face. He wasn't being difficult. He was afraid. Leo looked toward the trail ahead, then back at his friend.

[00:04:53] For the first time that morning, he forgot about being first. He stepped back across the stones. One, two, three, four. Until he was standing beside his friend. Would you like me to go with you? I can hold your hand. The little boy nodded and smiled. Leo held out his hand. Well, go slowly. One stone at a time. I got you.

[00:05:22] Together, they stepped onto the first stone. Then the next. And then the next. Until finally they reached the other side. His friend smiled and yelled. I did it! You did, Leo smiled. And then, something interesting happened. Leo started walking toward the trail again. But this time, he didn't shout, follow me.

[00:05:51] He didn't point at his badge. He didn't tell anyone he was the leader. He simply started walking. A few minutes later, Leo glanced behind him. Everyone was following. Even Lily. Interesting, Grandma Lion said. Ah! Leo exclaimed. Where did you come from? What's interesting, Grandma?

[00:06:20] When you stopped trying so hard to look like a leader, you began to lead. Leo looked down at his golden badge. And for the first time, he understood. Maybe leadership wasn't something you could simply pin to your shirt. Maybe it was something people could see in the way you lived. Welcome back to the Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show.

[00:06:50] Hello, future leaders. I'm Destiny. Your joy-building and heart-incorning princess friend. Thank you for joining us for another Legacy Sorts. We're together, we're planting seeds that build future leaders. So conversations, lifelong impact! That's right.

[00:07:18] And I'm Daniel, your future-building and character-growing buddy. Today, we're continuing our journey through powerful leadership principles with another idea taught by leadership author John C. Maxwell. Well, it's called the Law of Influence. And the big idea is simple. Leadership is influence. Wait a moment. What exactly is influence? Great question.

[00:07:47] Influence is the ability to affect how someone thinks, acts, or chooses. And guess what? You don't have to be a grown-up to have influence. You already have it. Me? Billy? Yes, you! And every future leader listening. Sometimes people think being a leader means being the boss, being in charge, having an important

[00:08:13] title, or getting to tell everyone else what to do. Like Leo and his giant leader pads. Exactly. A title may tell people what your position is, but it doesn't automatically make them trust you. It doesn't automatically make them respect your example. And it certainly doesn't automatically make them want to follow you.

[00:08:41] Oh, so how do we influence people in a good way? Often, by the way we live. Think about Leo. Leo. When he shouted, follow me. Nobody really wanted to. But when he noticed somebody needed help, went all the way back and walked beside him, something changed. Aha!

[00:09:06] Leo stopped asking, how do I get everyone to follow me? Correct. And he started asking, how can I help? That's a very different kind of leader. Have you ever noticed that some people copy each other? Absolutely. Imagine one child sees someone new standing alone. They walk over and say, would you like to come sit with us?

[00:09:35] Perhaps another child sees that and moves over to make room two. That's influence. Or maybe your little sibling watches you put your dishes away after dinner. And then they start doing it too. Yes, that's influence. Or maybe someone tells a joke that hurts another person's feelings. And instead of laughing, you choose kindness.

[00:10:04] And then other people around decide to not laugh either. That's influence too. That's right. Sometimes one courageous choice gives someone else the courage to make a good decision. The right decision. Whoa. So we might be leading even when we don't realize anyone is watching. Exactly.

[00:10:32] Which is why future leaders ask, what is my example teaching? Remember, you don't want to become a leader because you have a title. You become a leader when your life gives others a reason to trust your example. I want you to listen here for a moment, friends. Jesus taught something beautiful in Matthew 5, verse 16.

[00:11:01] Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. I love that. Let your light shine. Yes. And notice, a light doesn't have to shout, look at me. It simply shines. Oh, just like a good leader doesn't have to keep saying, I'm the leader. Exactly.

[00:11:29] Your kindness can shine. Your courage can shine. Your honesty can shine. Your faith can shine. Yes. And when you live those things faithfully, your example can encourage others toward what is good. Future leaders, there's another side of influence we have to understand.

[00:11:53] If you can influence other people, other people can influence you too. Is our influence good, Daniel? No. That's why wise leaders choose carefully. Who they listen to. Who they learn from. And whose example they follow. Oh. So just because everyone is doing something, doesn't mean we should follow. Wow.

[00:12:24] Exactly. Popularity does not automatically equal wisdom. And having lots of followers doesn't automatically make someone worth following. Then how do we know? Look at the fruit of their life. Are they honest? Kind? Wise? Do they keep their word? Do they encourage you toward what is good?

[00:12:50] Do trusted adults in your life believe they're a healthy influence? Those are important questions. Oh. So wise leader learns two things. How to be a good influence. And how to choose good influences. Yes. Exactly. That's wisdom. Did you know humans naturally learn by watching other people? We do.

[00:13:19] From the time we're very young. We learn by observing. Imitating. Practicing. And watching what happens around us. That means your example may teach something before you even say a word. That makes me want to ask. What do people learning when they watch me? That's an excellent future leader question. Imagine. Imagine. You're working with a group.

[00:13:48] And everyone is supposed to clean up afterward. You look around. Nobody moves. You could yell, Everybody clean up! Or you could quietly pick something up. And then another thing. And someone notices. And they begin helping. Then someone else joins. Just a few minutes later, everyone is working together. And you never once said, I'm the leader.

[00:14:17] Oh, you didn't have to. You went fast. Sometimes the most powerful form of leader set is example. Absolutely correct, little sister. That was such a great lesson, friends. All right, friends. Do you know what time it is? It's time for our... Legacy Leader Journal Moments.

[00:14:47] Okay, friends. Grab your educational kids, legacy journal, and something to write with. And if you don't know how to write yet, that's okay. Draw your answers like a friend, Lily the Lion. Today's question is, who might be learning from my example? And what do I want my example to teach?

[00:15:15] Maybe it's a younger brother or sister. A friend. Someone on your team. Or maybe someone you don't even realize is watching. Now choose one way you want to influence others this week. Maybe you're the first to include someone that's lonely. Maybe you're the first to introduce yourself to someone new. The first to tell the truth. The first to help. The first to apologize.

[00:15:43] Or the first to do what's right. You don't need a badge. You don't need a title. You don't need a thousand followers. You don't have to be grown up. You can influence someone for good today. That's right. You can influence someone to be more positive or good today. Oh friends, back to the story. Later that afternoon,

[00:16:10] The Great Backyard Expedition finally reached its destination. The mysterious old tree with the big owl that lived at the top. And guess what they found beneath it? Treasure! Well, sort of. Inside an old wooden box were little homemade organic chocolate coins Grandma had hidden earlier.

[00:16:40] Everyone laughed. Leo quickly reached for the treasure. He looked back, then stopped. He looked around at his friends. Instead of taking the first treat, he passed the box to the little boy he helped across the creek. You choose first, friend. The little boy looked up and smiled. Then something beautiful happened. He took one coin, then passed the box to someone else too.

[00:17:10] One person influenced another. Who influenced another? Who influenced another? Until everyone had something to share. Grandma Lion smiled. Now that is influence, darlings. Leo looked down at the gold leader badge still pinned to his shirt. Slowly, he took it off. But why are you taking it off? Leo the lion smiled.

[00:17:40] I don't think I need it anymore. That was a great story, wasn't it, friends? It sure was. Friends, someone may be learning from your life right now. Maybe someone younger than you. Maybe a friend. Maybe someone who sees the courage in a choice you make. You may never know every person your kindness touches.

[00:18:06] Or every person who becomes braver because they saw you become braver first. So don't wait for someone to call you a leader. Lead where you are. Serve. Listen. Encourage. Tell the truth. Keep your word. Go first when something good needs to be done. And remember, leadership isn't about getting people beneath you. It's about becoming someone who helps lift others higher.

[00:18:37] If this legacy short encouraged you today, share it with another future leader. Maybe someone needs the reminder that they don't need the title to make a difference. And if you're enjoying the Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show, leave us a kind review and five golden stars. And make sure to subscribe so you never miss another screen-free adventure.

[00:19:01] And if your family would like to help produce the show, you can leave us a gift at buymeacoffee.com backslash entrepreneurkids. And again, that is buymeacoffee.com backslash entrepreneurkids. All links are in the show notes below. And before you go, friends, we want you to know how proud we are of you. Remember, friends, you don't need to be the loudest person in the room to have influence.

[00:19:29] Sometimes leadership looks like being the one who notices. The one who helps. Oh, and the one who includes. The one who tells the truth. The one who goes back when someone else is afraid to cross. And one day, you may look behind you and discover someone chose courage because they watched you choose courage first. Hmm.

[00:19:55] Or someone believed they could because you stopped long enough to say, I believe in you. That's influence. And that's leadership worth practicing, friends. Future leaders, titles may come and go. Badges can be taken off. Followers can change.

[00:20:17] But character, kindness, courage, and the way you make people feel can leave an influence long after you left the room. And never forget, you are the hero of your story. And your story is just getting started.

[00:20:37] Thank you so much, guys, for listening to this episode of Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show. That's why I hope you had a wonderful time for this podcast. This podcast can change your life. That's what I was going to say, life. Life. We love you guys. Thank you so much for listening to this podcast.

[00:21:04] And again, start before you get too old. So good. Don't miss your chat. God bless. I love you so much. Wait. Surprise outro for me. And don't forget to share with someone you really love. Yeah. Family, friends, even siblings. God bless. I love you so much. Don't forget to tell your friends. God bless. See you next week. Eat your vegetables.