Boys Staters Told to ‘Seize the Opportunity’

STARKVILLE, Miss. –“Seize this opportunity” is the advice that Major Andrew Yang shared with more than 370 Boys State delegates Thursday [May 28] at Mississippi State University.

“Boys State is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that very few will get to experience. Seize this opportunity. Put down your phones. Introduce yourself. Walk around. Talk to others. Meet as many people as you can. Leave your comfort zone. Challenge yourself. In the end, this whole week is essentially practice for the real world,” said the San Antonio, Texas, native, who currently serves as Southwest Regional Commander for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

After graduating from the premier leadership development institution in 2003, Yang was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He underwent aviation training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and has led soldiers in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan, among other places.

After inviting Boys State delegates to share their definitions of leadership, Yang, in speaking from his personal experiences, offered his own through a rather fitting acrostic: L.E.A.D.E.R.

“L represents ‘love,’ not as an emotion, but as a behavior. Care for others, your subordinates and your organization. This selfless act demonstrates respect, modesty, and patience. Ultimately, you will bring out the best in others as they will go the extra mile to support your mission to achieve a common goal,” he explained.

Yang also provided the delegates with tips on how to “encourage” others through motivation and building confidence.

“Be their cheerleader. Be their support,” he said. “Talk to people and learn about them. Learn not only about what they do at work, but about their families and their kidsKnow their names.”

Serving as an “apprentice” also is an important skill for a leader to possess, he said.

“You need to be consistently watching, criticizing and learning, whether it is from your subordinates, your peers, your superiors or even from yourself,” he advised. “You should have mentors who you can talk to, seeking their guidance and leadership. Ultimately, you are developing your own personal style of leadership through experience and practice.”

Yang also emphasized the importance of “doing” the right thing at all times–even when no one is looking–as well as being receptive to mistakes.

“Stand your ground. Believe in what you know is right. Lead by example,” he told the high school students who have come from all over Mississippi to learn about state and local government and the electoral process. “‘Expect’ to make mistakes. The greatest learning is from your own mistakes and even those of others.”

The most important thing for a leader to do when dealing with stressful situations is to “relax,” Yang said.

“The last thing you want to do is shut down because people are going to look up to you for a decision. If you do feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to assign tasks and ask for help,” he advised. “Continue with scheduling and managing time for yourselfyour own hobbies, rest, vacation, and of course, family.”

Since 1939, Mississippi American Legion Boys State has served as the nation’s premier program for teaching young men how government works, developing leadership skills and nurturing an appreciation for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.