News

     There was time for introspection.  By looking at what most impacted our own leadership development, we gather insight on how to best develop today’s emerging leaders.  We asked each other: when did you first realize you possessed leadership potential?  Who played a role in that recognition?
 

     The consensus was that activities and organizations that promoted the use of leadership qualities were vital, yet it was the relationship with respected mentors that truly flipped the recognition switch.  As intuitive as this is, it is a reminder of how significant the direct involvement of our community leaders (i.e. you and me) is.
 

     That collegial relationship that leaders develop with our junior participants was recognized as one of the program’s greatest strengths.  Other noted strengths were:
·    Targeting and identifying students with potential leadership qualities 
·    The close working relationship with our local schools
·    The inclusiveness of a diverse range of students (public, private and home-schooled)
·    Time for introspection and self-assessment by class members, and
·    “Soft” skills/benefits: respect, relationship-building, mutual learning, and opening new horizons
 

      How can we use this collective wisdom to more effectively impact our young leaders and beyond?Suggestions included:
         Identifying and partnering with other leadership organizations
·        Exploring ways for the class to interact with LMC
·        Considering ways to encourage participants to look into the future with a visionary perspective
·        Integrating additional relevant topics into the program, including cultural diversity and conflict management
 

      This process was a large step toward refining our vision for the Jr. Leadership program.  The next steps will be directed more toward the potential impact our program and its participants can make on their communities and world.

     It is easy to envision our potential as it is; our greater challenge is to envision possibilities that are well beyond what we know.
 
Many thanks to those of you who have passionately embraced this challenge, and to those of you who are willing to join us in the journey.