There is a very popular leadership book called Start With Why. It is well-known in the leadership development society asking the question, “ Why do you do what you do?” At Morning Star’s Institute for Leadership Development (ILD), we start with “WHO”. Character development is the foundation of leadership. Before I ask someone why they are doing something, I want to know who they are: Are they worth following? Do they hold the values that serve others, not themselves? Without a moral compass, our leadership arrows will hit a self-serving target.

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In the spring of 2020, the world was sent into a panic, and we at Morning Star have been juggling other instability, as well, within Afghanistan.

• The coronavirus has sent the world into a panic. Government, education and most formal groups have temporarily been shut down in Afghanistan.
• Two simultaneous Presidential inaugural addresses (yes, TWO). In Afghanistan, both presidential candidates have declared victory and gave inaugural addresses at the same time in different locations.
• The U.S. – Taliban Peace agreement.

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March 21 was the start of the Afghanistan New Year and was also when we started the Institute for Leadership Development classes. Each year the number of applications increase, which gives us a bigger pool from which we can select the best and most open minded men and women in Afghanistan to train in Servant Leadership. One of the key parts of leadership development is for each student to tell his or her story. It is fairly rare that an Afghan professional be given the chance to safely tell their story publically. We train these men and women more effecively when we know their backgrounds, families, dreams, pain and suffering. As we get to know them personally, we help them to see that there is a reason for their lives, a purpose that is uniquely connected to who they are.