Leadership Reflections
Just before studying for my MBA, I had the fortune of being connected with a recent graduate of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies who created a nonprofit leadership development program for high school students, supported by college coaches. His name was John Renehan.
He and his college buddies created a village for youth development, a summer flagship program, connecting them in community with each other and the adults around them in society. Even though school children are often kept separate from the larger society in educational programs until they are “old enough” this summer program brought them together so that they could make a difference. It was incredible. It was similar to the nonprofit Citizen Schools where I worked before that, which was another world class community youth development program organized for middle school students.
While working for John Renehan I learned:
“Strong leaders are mindful of their own beliefs and abilities. They are able to tap into the principles and skills of others in order to attain their visionary goals.”
Spot on, of course!
He said, “we believe one person really can make a difference and we as a community can do so much more.” His program that I had the privilege to run just before grad school was called “Agents of Change.” It was awesome. Truly! For me, I was thrilled to be in a role creating partnerships and building this community – field trip destinations, internship hosts, board members/advisors, mentors, donors, new hires and participants, etc.
It was so refreshing to see the youth as leaders. To bring out their ideas and creations for the greater good. To see them thrive.
Now a coach, I have been focused on supporting women around the world, specifically mothers, as leaders. Leaders in both their family and in their community – locally and globally.
Years ago, I had developed a mission statement for myself of “empowering people to realize their dreams.” It was because of how inspirational it felt to support the youth to create products, performances, or presentations that made people say “wow” in my youth leadership days. I felt this mission also fit in my personal relationships as well (friends, family). Through every conversation, I like helping people to realize what their dreams are, go after them, and make them happen.
Jon said:
“Strong leaders are mindful of their own beliefs and abilities. They are able to tap into the principles and skills of others in order to attain their visionary goals.”
Principle – a moral rule or belief that helps you know what is right and wrong and that influences your actions. ~Merriam-Webster.com. Miriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 29 Nov 2015.
I looked up this word in 2015 when I was facilitating a workshop for mothers in my community. I just looked up the word again. It seems the definition has changed somewhat on the website, but I still like the 2015 version.