Leadership with the Spirit of Resilience and Compassion Amidst Adversity, Leading the Lost Boys

What does it take to become a leader? Is it measured through power? Through the number of achievements? Perhaps, the number of followers? Even though the concept of leadership comes in many ways and styles, its core value still lies in its objective of uniting everyone to reach a specific goal. In his latest memoir, Paulino Mamiir Chol shares his remarkable transformation from being a kidnapping survivor to leading thousands of boys known now as the Lost Boys of South Sudan. 

About ‘Leading the Lost Boys’

Leading the Lost Boys is the latest memoir by author Paulino Mamiir Chol, released last June 22, 2021. It is an untold story of the author after being abducted from his family in the Twic County of Warrap state. Mr. Chol wrote in great detail about how he, alongside hundreds of boys, survived Ethiopian and Kenyan refugee camps and walked across three African countries.

In his book, Paulino Mamiir Chol wrote the journeys of the Lost Boys, including the murderous actions of the Murahalin Militia before and after the Second Sudanese Civil War. It is a story of one of the most horrific human rights abuses. Even so, Mr. Chol still sends out hope on the strength of individuals to overcome trauma caused by trials and tragedies. Mr. Chol decided to give light to others by focusing on serving and leadership.

Leadership with Compassion and Resilience

Like the rest of them, Paulino Mamiir Chol was also a mere boy when he was abducted and placed in a refugee camp with hundreds of boys. Still, Paulino saw a need for even a tiny bit of hope—a ray of sunshine that would light upon those already drowned with darkness.

Mr. Chol learned that the Lost Boys needed a leader that could give light to the atrocities they saw daily, a leader so refreshing it felt like a calm spring in the desert. Despite the countless trials and numerous letdowns, they faced from government officials, military generals, and refugee camp leaders, Mr. Chol committed himself to bringing hope to the whole group.

To become an efficient leader, Mr. Chol is aware that he needs to be nurturing and disciplinary at the same time. He must be an advocate, a father, doctor, judge, teacher, and most especially a friend. As a leader, your focus must be on the survival of the whole group while still addressing issues such as the need for comfort and peace of mind.

Leading the Lost Boys taught us how essential it is to have a leader that will serve as an excellent foundation for the whole group. It teaches us that even a mere boy can also lead hundreds and thousands of boys. Mr. Chol himself is also a Lost Boy, and just like them, he ran, he hid, starved, and bled the same color as they did—that’s the essence of a leader, be able to empathize with the whole group.

‘Leading the Lost Boys: The Untold Journey’ is currently available in digital and paperback on Amazon. Grab your copy now!