Learning to Stand Tall—Whether You're a First Grader or a Leader

 This week, my eldest son started elementary school. It’s a big milestone—but right away, he had his first taste of the real world.

He and his older sister, who is in third grade, were walking to school hand in hand. They've always been close. But a couple of older boys—sixth and fourth graders—mocked him, calling him a “sister-lover” over and over again. While my son didn’t seem too bothered, my daughter was quite upset by it.

Unfortunately, this won’t be the last time they face this kind of thing. As they grow, they’ll encounter teasing, jealousy, and even malice. And as sad as it is, even in the adult world, there are people who can’t help but attack others. That’s just the way life works.



That’s why I believe going through these experiences early on actually makes you stronger in the long run.

Maybe it sounds strange, but I actually found this whole episode heartwarming. It reminded me that my kids are growing up.

In situations like this, I usually tell them: "Ignore the idiots. People who hurt others are just unhappy and miserable themselves. Don't waste your energy thinking about them. Spend that time doing what you love or dreaming about something fun."

It’s the same for leaders.

Once you become a leader, you’ll face trials and challenges that no one else can handle for you. Of course, it’s fine to ask for advice and talk things through with others. But in the end, you can’t hide behind someone else’s authority or decisions. You have to face it, choose your own path, and take action.

Leaders carry many more kinds of worries than kids do. And it’s only natural to struggle—no one is born ready to lead. You’ll make mistakes, things won’t go smoothly, and sometimes you’ll feel stuck, like you’re not making any progress at all. But if you keep facing the problems head-on, a year or two down the line, you'll suddenly find yourself out of that darkness.

It doesn’t mean your problems disappear—but you grow stronger. You get used to making decisions and carrying the weight. That’s how you become a true leader—not one who depends on their boss, but someone who can stand on their own feet, in any company or even in your own business.

So, yes—when I see our leaders struggling and fighting through their own darkness, it makes me smile, just like I did with my kids. Because I know: this is the process that turns people into real leaders.

And once you’ve been through that, you’ll be ready for anything.

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