Someone once told me that a child has a large majority of their beliefs set by the age of five.  That blows my mind.  This means that children are nothing but sponges for the initial days of their lives.  Observing everything and making decisions on what they believe, enough, that by the age of five they are set in their ways. 

I never really thought about this much until now.  My daughter,  who will turn two in a few months, is already an independant free spirit.  Her mother and I are doing our best to teach her good manners, and instill in her important traits that will set her up for success as she grows and matures.  While in the midst of this teaching, we are expecting our second child any day now and not only will I be teaching Lexi, but I will be responsible for another little one. 

I find myself carefully thinking about how I will handle certain situations and what I want to prioritize in my teaching so that if I have to get just a few lessons in during these critical days I will have chosen the right lessons. 

Leaders are not far from this in their influence. 

When a leader has the ability to train and influence those in his/her care it is their responsiblity to teach them diligently, raise up their character and place them in situations that will inspire them to greatness.  I liken a leader to a potter.  When they are given a new student it is like placing fresh clay on their table.  As they begin to mold and shape the clay it takes form and is unique from every other peice they have made before.  The elements in the clay, that were there before the potter began, also give each pot is unique shape and design. 

But, molding and shaping the clay is not the only task of the potter, they must finish the pot by placing it in the fires and hardening the clay.  Only then will the pot be able to be used for its intended purpose.  But once in the fire, there is no going back. Any imperfections in the pot will be set. 

A leader does the same with their followers.  They mold and shape them.  They set good examples for them to follow.  They instill in them the values they wish for them to have.  And then, they place them in the fire. 

Leaders understand the need for shaping their followers properly before placing them in the fire.  If you do it too soon, you risk setting in too many imperfections that will be difficult to correct.  But just like a child, a leader only has a short amount of time before the team sets their own.�