The Heart of a Leader

Gabe loves to play soccer. He's not the best player on the team, but he is the heart of the team. Read how the team comes together through adversity and triumph.

The Heart of a Leader is the first book in the Be the Weight: Little Lessons for Big Leaders series, which inspires children to grow into courageous, kind, and capable leaders. Based on the principles of Be the Weight Behind the Spear, each beautifully illustrated story explores a core trait—leadership, integrity, empathy, and service and helps children discover that true leadership begins with doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.

Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey is a best-selling, award-winning author, Emergency Physician, and proud Air Force commander.

With over 20 years of service, he’s dedicated his life to helping others—both in the emergency room and in the field. His book Be the Weight Behind the Spear earned a 2025 Telly Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination for its inspiring message of leadership and hope. Josh lives in Apex, North Carolina, with his wife, Elsa, and their three children. Together, they work to inspire the next generation of kind, confident, and courageous leaders.

“Teach your children about standards and expectations. Teach them to look you straight in the eye and tell the truth.”

—Coach Krzyzewski, Fomer Duke University Basketball Coach Presentation at Duke University, Dec.15, 2016 Illustrator, Yakovetic has illustrated and art directed over 50 childrens’ books, plus book covers, paper dolls and coloring books. Recently releasing a “Stitch” color by number coloring book. Immediately out of college, NBC Studios hired him, creating art for “Dick Van Dyke & Co.” “The Tonight Show” “Diana Ross Special,” game shows and Courtroom Sketching for the News. An award-winning set and costume designer, Yakovetic has worked on film, stage, ice shows and theme parks including: Disney On Ice 2025, Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. For more information visit www.yakovetic.com.

Dr. illustrated Josh byMcConkey Yakovetic

Dr. Josh McConkey illustrated by Yakovetic

Be The Weight: The Heart of a Leader

by Dr. Josh McConkey illustrated by Yakovetic copyright ©2026 Dr. Josh McConkey All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books.

To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 mybook@headlinebooks.com www.HeadlineBooks.com Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781958914892 Library of Congress Number on file with the Library of Congress

P R I N T E D

I N

T H E

U N I T E D

S T A T E S

O F

A M E R I C A

To the weight behind my spear— Elsa, Luca, Gabriel, and Alexandria.

You are the quiet strength in my heart, the light that steadies my path, and the reason I press forward. May this book remind you that the truest leaders carry love with them always.

This is Gabe.

Gabe isn’t the fastest, tallest, or loudest kid on the team. But he plays a very special role.

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Gabe is the heart of the team.

He cares about everyone and makes sure they know they’re important.

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When someone falls, Gabe helps them up.

When someone scores, Gabe cheers the loudest.

Gabe knows being strong doesn’t mean doing it alone.

It means lifting others when they need it.

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At school, Gabe sees a new kid, Liam, sitting alone. He remembers being the new kid on his first day of school.

“Hi, I’m Gabe,” he says with a smile.

“Want to play with us today?”

Leadership starts with kindness. It begins with one small, brave choice.

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Soon, Liam meets the rest of the crew: Noah, Gabe’s best friend, who dribbles like a pro. Sofia, the fastest runner on the field. And Maya, whose laugh can make anyone smile.

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The team practices hard. But at their first game, something happens.

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A boy named Caleb from the other team smirks.

“You guys don’t stand a chance,” he says.

“Losers.”

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Noah frowns. Maya looks down. For a moment, no one knows what to say.

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But Gabe takes a deep breath.

“We’re not losers,” he says calmly. “We’re just getting started. And we don’t quit.”

The game is tough, and they lose.

Caleb laughs and calls out again, “Told you so!”

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Gabe walks up to Caleb and offers his hand, “Good Game.”

Leadership is standing up for others–With courage and respect.

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But Gabe reminds his team: “Every great team has tough days. What matters is that we keep going.”

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And so they do. They practice.

They encourage each other. They grow stronger.

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At the next game, something amazing happens.

They play hard. They work together.

And this time…

They win.

Everyone jumps and shouts!

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But Gabe doesn’t rush to celebrate.

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He shakes hands with the other players.

Because real leaders respect everyone– Even the people they beat.

Even the people who once called them losers.

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He walks over to Caleb, who is kicking the dirt.

“Good game,” Gabe says, holding out his hand.

Caleb hesitates, then shakes Gabe’s hand.

“Yeah,” he mutters. “Good game.”

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That night, Gabe writes in his journal: “Today, I saw what we can do when we believe in each other.”

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The next morning, the team surprises Gabe.

A bracelet, just for him.

It says “LEADER.”

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Gabe smiles. But he knows the truth.

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Leadership isn’t a title.

It’s how you treat others– every single day.

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It’s being the strength behind your friends.

The calm in the storm.

The courage in the quiet.

It’s choosing others before yourself.

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Leadership is helping even when no one is watching.

Because even when you think nobody is paying attention, they are.

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Gabe isn’t the star of the team.

He’s something better.

He’s the weight behind the spear.

And that changes everything.

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You can be that, too.

Lead with courage.

Lead with kindness.

Lead with heart.

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Bringing “The Weight Behind the Spear” Into the Classroom These activities help students experience what it means to be the “weight behind the spear”—using love, confidence, and encouragement to build tomorrow’s leaders.

1. The Heavy Backpack (Support in Action) •

What to Do: Place a backpack with a few books inside on a desk. Have one student try to lift it alone, then have several students lift it together.

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Discussion Prompt: Which was easier? How does teamwork show that leaders are stronger when others put their “weight” behind them?

2. The Encouragement Circle (Cheering Others On) •

What to Do: A student performs a simple challenge (balancing, drawing quickly, etc.). Have them try once in silence, then again with classmates cheering.

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Discussion Prompt: How did encouragement change their confidence? How can we support our friends in real life?

3. Chain of Heroes (Teamwork Matters) •

What to Do: Challenge the class to move a ball across the room using only straws, sticks, or paper tubes.

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Discussion Prompt: Did everyone’s role matter? How did small efforts add up to success.

These activities can be used in short classroom sessions, small groups, or even at home. The goal is simple: help children understand that being “the weight behind the spear” means lifting others up so they can grow into tomorrow’s heroes and leaders.

For more exercises, visit

www.WeightBehindTheSpear.com

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Gabe loves to play soccer. He's not the best player on the team, but he is the heart of the team. Read how the team comes together through adversity and triumph.

The Heart of a Leader is the first book in the Be the Weight: Little Lessons for Big Leaders series, which inspires children to grow into courageous, kind, and capable leaders. Based on the principles of Be the Weight Behind the Spear, each beautifully illustrated story explores a core trait—leadership, integrity, empathy, and service and helps children discover that true leadership begins with doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.

Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey is a best-selling, award-winning author, Emergency Physician, and proud Air Force commander.

With over 20 years of service, he’s dedicated his life to helping others—both in the emergency room and in the field. His book Be the Weight Behind the Spear earned a 2025 Telly Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination for its inspiring message of leadership and hope. Josh lives in Apex, North Carolina, with his wife, Elsa, and their three children. Together, they work to inspire the next generation of kind, confident, and courageous leaders.

“Teach your children about standards and expectations. Teach them to look you straight in the eye and tell the truth.”

—Coach Krzyzewski, Fomer Duke University Basketball Coach Presentation at Duke University, Dec.15, 2016 Illustrator, Yakovetic has illustrated and art directed over 50 childrens’ books, plus book covers, paper dolls and coloring books. Recently releasing a “Stitch” color by number coloring book. Immediately out of college, NBC Studios hired him, creating art for “Dick Van Dyke & Co.” “The Tonight Show” “Diana Ross Special,” game shows and Courtroom Sketching for the News. An award-winning set and costume designer, Yakovetic has worked on film, stage, ice shows and theme parks including: Disney On Ice 2025, Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. For more information visit www.yakovetic.com.

Dr. illustrated Josh byMcConkey Yakovetic