A Potentially Tragic Situation
It appeared to be a normal April morning for 13-year-old Acie Holland III of Glendale, WI. The 8th-grader boarded the school bus to begin what he figured would be just another school day. But what followed would be anything but normal.
During the trip, Holland noticed something was wrong with the bus driver. As told to CNN and in this article, the driver appeared dizzy and then her head dropped. The bus then accelerated past a regularly scheduled turn.
Holland said, “She turned the corner and there’s another street that we usually turn on. She pressed the gas and went past the corner, and I looked up.”
Holland then headed to the front of the bus, moved the driver to the side, grabbed the wheel and safely pulled the bus over to the side of the road. 911 was then called and the driver was treated for a medical emergency.
Holland’s father said, “He’s always been a person where he’s real quick on his feet. That’s one of my things that I know he’s capable of, not on the school bus, but just in general, being able to help someone in need. But I am proud of what he did.”
For a news report, see below:
The young Acie Holland III shows us three things leaders who make a big difference in the lives of others are always aware of:
Leaders Who Make A BIG Difference In The Lives Of Others Are Always Aware Of Their Environment
They are always looking at what is going on around them, particularly deviations in people’s behavior and in their surroundings. Difference-making leaders are alert and have situational awareness. Acie first noticed the bus driver appeared dizzy. This put his antennas up but when the bus missed its normal turn, he knew something was wrong.
Leaders Who Make A BIG Difference In The Lives Of Others Are Always Aware Of The Needs Of Others
They are compassionate. Difference-making leaders have empathy and proactively meet the needs of those hurting in their midst. They care.
Leaders Who Make A BIG Difference In The Lives Of Others Are Always Aware Of The Need To Take Decisive Action
What makes Acie Holland III a hero is not only did he notice changing circumstances and the needs of the bus driver, but he took decisive action.
First, he actually got out of his seat and went to help. Then, Acie pulled the bus safely to the side of the road. Finally, he called 911 and got the bus driver the medical attention she needed.
Holland’s decisiveness provided helpful solutions.
Conclusion
Leaders who make a BIG difference in the lives of others are always aware of:
- Their environment.
- The needs of others.
- The need to take decisive action.
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