Learn to Lead

Learn to Lead

Six months ago, I started to plan a project with a simple premise to prepare students for middle school, high school, and post-graduation options by teaching leadership skills. I wanted to provide them with experiences associated with participating in a business breakfast as they learned these skills.

Today, students participated in our first "Learn to Lead" business breakfast. About 150 students and some of their parents attended the meeting. They arrived on time with many of them dressed in business casual. Young looking professionals politely visiting as they shared a breakfast with their colleagues.

In my arrogance, I thought my students needed to learn how to conduct themselves in such a setting for future success. I should have known better. Today, they became the teacher.

150 students listened attentively and interacted appropriately with our speaker. You could see it in their eyes as they made connections to the diversity presentation. They clicked open their "Learn to Lead" pens and took notes on the powerpoint handouts. Our students come to school to learn and today they learned to lead.

I have attend hundreds if not thousands of meetings in 25 years and a large number of professional conferences. The students today were the most attentive and well behaved participants in any meeting that I have attended. You did not see them having side-bar conversations, checking their cell phones, or assuming they were already the expert. They were learners.

At the conclusion of the business breakfast, they were gracious and thankful. They cleaned up and thanked the presenter. I thought I was teaching students today. Today, my students taught me that they know what it takes to successful.

Tomorrow they will be pre-teen boys and girls. Today, they were professional leaders ready to learn. I have never been prouder of my students.

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