Maybe someday you’ll be a leader or a change agent for something you love, like the American Quarter Horse.

Every industry has leaders, or change agents, people who attempt to influence decisions in a direction he or she feels is desired.

These professionals can range from parents to presidents. AQHA has tons of leaders who help influence what’s happening in the industry everyday.

Characteristics of leaders and change agents include

• Those who live in the future, not the present
• Those fueled by passion and inspires passion in others
• Those who have a strong ability to self-motivate
• Those who understand people.

Most young people have a role model whom they use as an example of the type of person they would like to be, be it in sports business or the arts. This exercise will ask you to identify a role model you have in learning leadership skills, and show how you have learned some of those skills from that individual.

Crazy about horses? Test your knowledge with AQHA’s Junior Master Horseman program. You can even earn certificates!

Spend a day with someone in your community, whether it be your county extension agent, a favorite teacher, a counselor, the city mayor, a local business owner- any individual who is a leader in your community. Answer the questions below and tell us all about them!

1. Who did you choose as your leadership role model?
2. What role does he or she play as a leader?
3. Why did you choose to interview this person?
4. Does this person think of him or herself as a leader? How does he or she perceive his or her role in the community, the business and at home.
5. What characteristics does this person think a leader should possess?
6. Which of these characteristics have you observed in this person? How and where were they displayed?
7. How has this person influenced you to be a leader, or to be a better leader?
8. Would you like to be like this person?
9. Why?

After you’ve answered all these questions… post them on Facebook!!