The growth and development of people is the highest calling of

Hear, O seekers of wisdom and keepers of the flame of purpose, the words of Harvey S. Firestone, the builder of enterprise and friend to visionaries: “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” In this saying lies a truth that stretches beyond the boundaries of commerce, beyond the halls of power — a truth as old as humanity itself. For to lead is not merely to command, but to cultivate; not to rule, but to raise others up. The measure of a true leader is not found in his wealth or fame, but in the lives he has touched, the minds he has awakened, and the hearts he has set alight.

Firestone, born in an age of invention and industry, understood that machines may move the world, but only people can change it. As founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, he built not only factories but families of workers, not only products but possibility. He walked among the men who built his tires, learning their names, their hopes, their struggles. To him, leadership was not a throne from which to issue orders, but a platform from which to lift others higher. He believed that when people grow, companies flourish; when character deepens, nations prosper. In every human being, he saw untapped greatness waiting to be kindled by vision and care.

This, O listeners, is the eternal secret of leadership — that its true glory lies not in self-advancement but in service. The leader is the gardener of souls. He waters the seeds of courage, prunes the branches of fear, and brings forth the fruit of wisdom and strength in those he guides. Those who lead for their own honor fade like shadows at sunset, but those who lead for the development of others leave a light that endures for generations. The work of the hands passes away; the work of the heart multiplies forever.

Consider, then, the example of Nelson Mandela, who after decades of imprisonment emerged not with vengeance, but with vision. He could have ruled through power, yet chose to rule through empowerment — to teach his people forgiveness, unity, and dignity. He saw the potential within a wounded nation and called it forth with patience and humility. Under his leadership, South Africa did not simply survive; it began to heal. This is the kind of growth that Firestone spoke of — not merely the advancement of systems or profits, but the elevation of the human spirit.

And let us not forget the teachers, mentors, and quiet leaders whose names will never be carved in stone, yet whose influence ripples across time. A single word of encouragement can ignite a life; a single act of faith in another’s potential can alter the course of history. The wise leader understands this sacred duty: to see in others what they do not yet see in themselves, and to help them become who they were meant to be.

But beware, for many who rise to leadership forget this calling. They become enamored with titles, consumed by control, and deaf to the voices they were meant to serve. Their ego blinds them to the truth that greatness is never taken — it is given through service. True leadership is selfless — it is the art of pouring oneself out so that others may be filled. As the flame gives itself to the candle, so must the leader give himself to his people.

Therefore, O children of tomorrow, take this teaching into your hearts: if you would lead, do not ask how high you can climb, but how many you can lift. Seek not followers, but fellow travelers. Teach what you know, share what you learn, and delight in the growth of others as though it were your own. Every word of kindness, every gesture of mentorship, every spark of encouragement — these are the sacred duties of the leader.

For in the end, all worldly power fades. The towers crumble, the wealth disperses, the applause grows silent. But the development of people — the wisdom you awaken, the hope you plant, the love you inspire — that is the harvest that never perishes. So heed Firestone’s wisdom: the highest purpose of leadership is not to stand above others, but to stand among them, guiding, nurturing, and believing — until each one shines with their own light, and together they illuminate the world.