Bulloch and Screven County Correctional facilities participated in the final Adult Education Program Student Success Speaker Series of the year entitled, “A Life of Leadership.” The guest speaker, Pastor Wayne Williams, has extensive leadership experience beginning with his family and extending to the community as the Founder of the Youth Career Commission, Inc., ministerial leadership as the Pastor and Founder of New Beginnings Christian Ministries, and leadership roles in the United States Army.
Pastor Williams’ message revolved around two important self-reflective questions “Who are you?” and “What do you want?”
He shared with the attendees that the most important aspect of leadership is having the ability and willingness to serve others. Williams explained that they all possessed leadership qualities, but serving others is what true leadership is all about.
“You’ve got to know yourself in order to become effective leaders,” he said. He encouraged them by sharing that leaders and leadership can be developed anywhere and that often times comes during difficult situations.
Williams went on to explain that effective leaders also have realistic goals that they are trying to accomplish. He reminded them to use the time that they have to set goals, read as many books as possible and pursue the educational opportunities presented through the Adult Education Program.
“The goals you set in here will make a huge impact once you return to your families,” he said.
Williams concluded the workshop with a moving activity that allowed the participants to see how leadership impacts those around them. He instructed the participants to write the word “TRUST” on a sheet of paper and then share with their neighbor. The neighbor was instructed to roll the paper into a ball and then return it to their neighbor. They were instructed to open the paper and smooth it out as best as they could.
Williams said, “As leaders, others believe in us, they give us their trust. When that trust is destroyed, despite our best efforts to smooth it out, the trust is never the same.”
