Leadership development is an important topic. Just look at the business development aisle at a bookstore, with countless books on the topic.
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Leadership development is an important topic. Just look at the business development aisle at a bookstore, with countless books on the topic. But leadership development is more than finding the right book and reading it cover to cover. You may be under the impression leaders are born that way, but the truth is almost anyone can become a leader.
I know this. Looking at my background, you might think that there is no way I was born to be a leader. I grew up in poverty. I had nothing to my name. My only outlet was school. I knew if I wanted to have a different life for my children, I had to learn a new way of doing things.
Through my own experiences and my continued research on leadership development, I made some important discoveries. The program I created – Empowering Confident Youth – was designed to help instill these leadership attributes in others from an early age. The pilot for this program that we have done through the Wachusett Regional High School in Holden has yielded promising results.
Even when implemented amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, it is clear that this character education program made a significant impact on learners:
• 96.8% of students reported an awareness of personal strengths
• 100% of students engaged in goal-setting behavior.
• 99.2% of students could articulate their personal belief system and core values.
• 98.4% of students reported having some self- confidence.
• 98.4% of students reported the ability to act comfortably with others.
• 97.6% of students try at least a couple of ways to solve their problems.
• 100% of students could identify having at least one passion in life.
These discoveries are not limited to just young people. They can be applied by any leader at any age. As I looked at how we trained these young people to lead, I realized business leaders and professionals can apply these principles to train up leaders in their organizations as well.
Leaders know how to set goals. Effective leaders can train others to do similarly. It’s more than an annual review where you set goals in the workplace.
Most leaders know what they are good at. They didn’t get to where they are by accident. Most of them capitalized on their strengths and used them to forge a path forward.
Leaders are confident. Whether this confidence is in-born or developed at an early age is up in the air. To grow as a leader, you must grow in your self-efficacy.
Leaders must be comfortable around different kinds of people and people in different places in their life.
Leaders are passionate people. No matter what that passion is, effective leaders need to discover and pursue the things they are passionate and excited about.
When I finally decided to pursue my passions instead of simply a paycheck, I discovered my true desire was to see others develop into enthusiastic leaders. This passion has helped me succeed no matter what I’ve set my mind to. It takes a person with a passion to lead others and help them grow to draw out these vital qualities. Leadership isn’t innate, it’s learned.
Jean Paul Paulynice is the founder of the Worcester education startup Empowering Confident Youth.
