Issue Task: The best way for a society to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields, is by instilling in them a sense of cooperation, not competition.

The best way for a society to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields, is by instilling in them a sense of cooperation, not competition.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

Throughout history, the best leaders are found to have similar personality traits that helped shape them into the well respected men and women that we look up to today. George Washington, Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, and many other famous leaders had the traits of being both competitive and cooperative. It is my belief that in order to become a great leader, one needs both qualities, not just one. If a society wants to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields, it needs to instill in them a sense of both cooperation and competition.

Some say that cooperation is the most important trait in a leader, and it is what a society should be teaching the younger generation in order to prepare them for leadership positions in the future. It is understood why some say this. For example, President George Washington, and many other presidents of the United States, has a cabinet of advisors to assist him. Leaders need to be able to work with their subordinates and respect their opinions and input. If they lack the cooperation to do this, they will become disliked as a leader and lose respect from many. Therefore, I whole heartedly agree with the statement that the younger generation of today should be learning how to be cooperative for their future careers as leaders.

However, I still feel that although cooperation is a large part of what makes a great leader great, having a competitive side is also beneficial. In order to become a influential leader, one needs a competitive personality. Without some competitiveness, a person may never become a leader simply because he will be surpassed by others who want the leadership position more. For example, in politics, almost all positions are competed for by opposing parties. If a candidate desires to become a political leader, they need to compete for the majority vote. It is a necessary trait to have in order to become elected. I believe that in order for the younger generation to be prepared for future leadership positions, they need to be cooperative and competitive.

To conclude, I would like to state that I am neither opposed nor for the statement's claim. A society should instill both cooperativeness and competitiveness in it's young people in order to prepare them for leadership positions in all fields. One needs to be competitive enough to gain a leadership position and hold it, but they also need to be cooperative in order to succeed and grow as leaders.