Importance of leadership (or telling others what to do)

I left China in the 3rd grade and all I could remember was how much I didn't want to leave because I was about to earn 3 stripes. See, there was this stripe system where if you earned any stripes, you'd proudly display it on your arm (as pictured). Here's the breakdown: 1 stripe = leader of small groups (approx 6-8/grade), 2 stripes = leader of your class (2-3/grade), and 3 stripes = leader of your grade (only one per grade). ALL of the kids want to earn stripes because stripes translate to certain privileges, such as leading group exercises, being the teacher's pet, and bossing classmates around. In order to earn stripes, you first nominate yourself and give a speech on why you would be a good leader, then your classmates vote. Yes, it's sort of like a popularity contest, but also, having the best grades in class equates to being the most popular. When I was in the 3rd grade, I was on my way to earning 3 stripes, which would mean I would've been the president of my grade! I felt like I had been waiting for this moment all my life until...my dreams were ruined by moving to America. Oh poor me. So to appease overwhelming disappointment, my grandma actually made me a fake badge with 3 stripes on it. I wore that thing around everyday before I left China.
Now, I'm proud to say that my cousin Wendy has 2 stripes. Although, she doesn't wear hers outside of the classroom like I used to.