CSOM – Where Do Leaders Come From?
Over the past few weeks, the topic of leadership has been front and center.
I have been selected as a participant in the ASU Leadership Institute, a 9-month personal and professional leadership development program specifically for alumni.
As part of the 8th cohort, 25 of us will complete a crash course in how ASU approaches leadership and innovation through campus visits, conversations with ASU leaders and behind-the-scenes tours.
I will be using my leadership skills as I chair the Valley Youth Theatre board of directors for this upcoming year.
My sister, Sandy, is a physical education teacher in Glendale, California, where she has taught for 36 years. For the past 10 years she has been the coordinator of a leadership program called WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) at Wilson Middle School.
The WEB leadership program is designed to help sixth graders transition to middle school with support from eighth graders.
It seemed fitting that with school starting, that she joins me on this week’s episode of Copper State of Mind to talk more about not only this highly successful program, but the importance of the concept of leadership, no matter your age.
The underlying message for the WEB program, according to Sandy, is that leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s also about kindness, mentoring, and creating an environment where everyone can develop their potential to lead.
Are people naturally inclined to be leaders? Is it possible to teach leadership skills?
I think it’s a little bit of both. When we identify individuals who are already demonstrating certain leadership characteristics and give them an opportunity to step into that role more formally, we are setting the course for these individuals, should they choose, to become a leader.
Listen in as we talk more about leadership and the possibility that everyone has an opportunity to lead.
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