Leadership... The Real Catalyst for Change

What I’ve discovered through my years of working with people of all ages is when a person begins to understand the power of acting as a “Change Leader”, real, significant, and sustained change begins to occur.  I first saw the evidence of this in the Youth Leadership program at the high school I taught at.  Once the young people returned to school in September after a week-long leadership experience that summer, REAL, systemic and culture change occurred.  Oh, not the first year, but by the second and third year, the students had penetrated the network of decision-making, learned how to positively influence the administration of the school, the other students, the coaches and many teachers.  Building-wide recycling of paper, glass, and beverage containers was instituted and run by the students.  Solar panels and a wind turbine appeared on the school roof.  An award-winning “Aquatic Classroom” was instated by the students and a local nursery and a Sculpture Park appeared in the other open-air courtyard of the school.  Other clubs joined in, teachers worked with students on new and exciting projects and students developed a comfort and skill level in how to affect positive change in the climate and culture of the building.  View the slide show here.

All this was catalyzed by fifteen students attending the first summer Leadership camp.  The camps have been happening now for seventeen consecutive years and what a difference these empowered “Change Leaders” do make!