By Gus Pirlot, Opinion Editor | City of Salomon, Mitchell County

Some could say one of the main goals of Badger Boys State is to foster leadership skills among its citizens. Speakers hold multiple special discussions throughout the week in order to teach citizens about leadership, government and other diverse topics.

One notable discussion held the morning of June 10 was titled “Political Psychology – Practical Psychology & Neuroscience,” and was taught by BBS counselor Bradley Pfeifer.

Pfeifer explained some basics of psychology and related these fundamentals to growing as a leader and as a person.

“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming your best self,” Pfeifer said. “It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult.”

Personal formation does not come all at once; rather, it occurs over time. Pfeifer said one’s identity and personality are, for the most part, developed fully by the time a person reaches 22 years old.

By this time, one will have had the experience necessary to form the person they want to be. Pfeifer also stressed the importance of figuring out how one learns best. Once this is accomplished, one can make the most of their education and life for the purpose of forming one’s character.

While he left some of the finer points of psychology for later discussions, Pfeifer’s lesson still is vital to success at Badger Boys State. How can one lead others before he learns to lead himself?

The best leaders are the ones who understand their fellow citizens, and this kind of understanding comes with development of self. In order to be a worthy leader, one must be self-aware. Future psychology discussions will likely contain similarly valuable lessons, and the author would encourage attending them.