Amir* wasn’t always the calm, composed young man people look up to today. Not so long ago, he his fiery temper put him in the midst of a heated argument. So to witness him play the peacemaker recently was pleasantly astonishing. That moment could have shaped how others saw him — and how he saw himself — but instead, it became a lesson that helped him grow.
Amir was playing at a futsal tournament. Two boys – Danial* and Josh* – got into an altercation. Danial accused Josh of “showboating” and not being a team player…costing them the game. Josh, in turn, vehemently defended himself and their argument quickly escalated. Just when it looked like they were about to exchange blows, Amir intervened.
The 16-year-old separated the boys and pulled Danial aside to speak privately.
Amir was calm, steady but firm, displaying a maturity beyond his years. He reminded Danial of the importance of taking a moment to cool down, sharing his own experience of how losing control in the past had only made things worse. He spoke kindly, encouraging Danial not to dwell on what he perceived to be Josh’s mistake, but to figure out how to move forward together as a team instead.
Amir had once been exactly where Danial was, and saw an opportunity to help him avoid his own missteps. His quiet intervention gave both boys the space they needed to cool off and reflect.
Before long, Danial and Josh were back on the field, kicking the ball around with their teammates as if nothing had happened. The conflict was forgotten, but how Amir calmed the waters made a lasting impression. He handled the situation with understanding and empathy.
Leadership, as Amir demonstrated that day, isn’t about grand gestures or loud posturing. True leadership is about knowing when to step in, offering guidance with patience, and using personal experiences to build bridges with others. Moments like these reveal the kind of young person Amir is becoming: someone who acts not for himself but for the good of those around him.
Rather than let his once short-fuse determine who he was, or who he would become, Amir sought a better way to deal with the curve balls that come his way. And he’s now leading by example.
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“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
*Not their real names