Spokes in a wheel

March 17, 2022

By Jeff Becraft

 

I was reviewing one of my old journals yesterday and I came across a page from Leadership Weekend from way back in 2012.

We were having a debriefing session after the Saturday morning activities and the moderator asked the simple question, “What did you see this morning?”

I jotted the down the responses I heard:

  • Influence
  • Helpful
  • Supportive
  • Brave
  • Tried everything
  • Determined
  • Encouraging
  • Humble
  • Respectful
  • Committed
  • Trustworthy
  • Listened
  • Safety
  • Energizing
  • Willing to take risks
  • Willing to follow
  • Led by example
  • Courageous

Who would not want to be part of a group like that?  Who would not want to be part of a team like that?

They weren’t just describing the “leaders” or “up front” people for the weekend.  They were describing one another… what happened and what they experienced that day.

I just want to encourage us – this is like spokes in a wheel.  There were 36 students (throw in the alumni and the adults and there was about 60 people total).

If you look at a wheel… let’s take 36 spokes… each of those people is a spoke in that wheel that comes into a hub and that forms a team.

Now again, who doesn’t want to be part of a team that has the above listed dynamics?

A lot of times a person might be thinking, “Well, I’m just a spoke… I’m not the spokesperson… I’m just a spoke.  There’s really nothing I can bring to the table.”

That is not true.

What the students described is what they saw in one another… what they saw in the spokes.

So the next situation you are in, pick one or two things from the list above and take a step towards being that kind of spoke.  Whether it is being trustworthy, or being respectful, or encouraging those around us, we can change the atmosphere of whatever team and whatever situation we are a part of.

It’s a great day to have a great day!

 

Jeff Becraft is the Director Emeritus for Youth Corps and has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives. Youth Corps is a life-changing leadership development experience that inspires high school students to be leaders in the Midlands and beyond. You can connect with Jeff at [email protected].