“Determined Leadership” A Tribute to Nicholas W. Brown… The End of the Story!!

 Nick understood that it would not be good enough to for me just be accepted back on line he was determined that I do it the right way so that no one would ever question his decision or that I would lose any respect, he would not allow me to be just one of the 8 pledges.  Nick decided to make me the President of our line without a vote, therefore adding the pressure of leading 7 other young men on a 49 day journey into Kappa Alpha Psi. Nick would often tell me that to be a great leader you must have the respect of the people that you’re leading.  He would say Kevin “You Gotta Go Through it….” But more importantly you have to want to “Go Through it.”

 

 

Nick also taught me that you must be willing to serve the people you lead and want their success more than your own, and that you must take on more than you want at times.  Nick taught me the principles around humility, and that it is important NOT to be self-seeking.  Matthew 23:11-12 states, “The Greatest among you must be a servant, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those that humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

 

Every one of those 49 days Nick was leaving an indelible impression on my leadership ability and my life  that I use to this day, it was all about teaching that all things are possible if you want it bad enough.  We all are familiar with: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me,” Nick also taught me that you must have a determined focus that will inspire all who you come in contact with. He taught that if you’re willing to give all it takes that when you achieve your goal you will realize that it really was not that hard.  The key is to be WILLING!

 

When I want to give up on any of my goals, I think about what Nick Brown would tell me often “You Gotta Go Through it… To Get to It…”

 

My life goals are simple:   To inspire, to do my best to live a righteous life, seek excellence in all I do, and subscribe to Constant and never ending Improvement! I was taught well by a great man; mentor, brother, friend and leader… Nicholas W. Brown.

 

Be Your Best Today!

Kevin D. Watson

“Determined Leadership” (You gotta go through it, To Get to it.) A Tribute to Nicholas W. Brown… Part 1

I have taken quite a few personality tests, spiritual gifts assessments over the last few years and my results have always come back to be:

 

1.) Leadership

2.) Encouragement and

3.) Discernment.

 

Today I will focus on the leadership quality, and in future post I will discuss the latter two. I believe that GOD gives us all gifts and when you operate in those gifts you will be successful. I also believe that there are people in your life that help you to develop those gift and qualities. As I look back over my life there is one person in specific that I must give much of the credit for my determined leadership qualities and that is Nick Brown. I find that quite often in my life find when I was determined to do a thing nothing could keep me from it. I recall in College when I decided to pledge Kappa Alpha Psi (The Most Outstanding and Greatest Fraternity in the world!) The first time I did not understand what it meant to be on line and pledge, and I did not make it, I had to drop or call it quits, and all who know me, they know that quitting goes against the person that I am, but my mentor and GREAT friend Nick Brown taught me that anything worth doing is worth doing with excellence  and the right way just as it states in Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

 

I was not allowed back on line that semester and Nick told me to learn what it meant to pledge and to be a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. He actually would not allow me back on line and it happened to be less than 8 hours from the time when I “quit” until the time I requested back on line, Nick understood at that time that I did not understand exactly what it would take to pledge and he did what a great leader sometimes has to do, he said “NO”, he gave me some coaching and some sound advice, patted me on the back and said take some time to develop a fire and perseverance inside of you that can’t be so easily extinguished with the challenges that come with pledging a fraternity.

Look at the life lesson… Kevin you did not get the promotion this time, stay fired up…keep working harder… you did not achieve this or that goal… keep pushing yourself…do not let the fire die…Now as the story continues, at that time, our proud Chapter (Beta Epsilon) would never consider someone that dropped to gain entry back on line, but it was the lesson that my Nick Brown gave to me to go and learn what it meant to pledge,and the meaning behind fraternity. It was also a life lesson, that anything that is worthwhile takes dedication, perseverance, focus and sacrifice! I spent a year waiting, observing and learning and I was determined to get back on line and to make it through. (The Story Continues …)

Be your Best!

Kevin D. Watson