“If you don't know where you're going…you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra
The start of a new school year: an exciting time to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, start classes, compete in fall sports and perform in fine arts. This renewed beginning and wave of excitement brings opportunities for student leaders to step up for success.
Student organizations are a critical and beneficial complement to academics. From school administrators to college student personnel to advisors, the ability to make a difference requires more than just showing up.
Leaders at all levels have many responsibilities and obligations to their peers and teams. Conversations and meetings should be as much strategic as they are operational with a balanced focus on the future and the present. Without a clear vision, organizational members may lack clarity on the group’s purpose. Chances are good that most group members have their own ideas of the purpose, as well as thoughts about what they want to get out of the group and how participation can make a difference. Unless they're asked, they may be reluctant to openly share their opinions.
A recurring theme from this year’s Leadership Challenge Forum is the need to invest in student leaders as early in their academic careers as appropriate. The Student Leadership Challenge is an excellent resource for administrators, advisors and faculty who work in student affairs, leadership courses, orientation experiences, residential life, student government, and youth leadership programs. Based on the international best-selling book and program by Jim Kouzes & Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge, The Student Leadership Challenge is geared to student and youth audiences.
Certified facilitator training for The Student Leadership Challenge takes place this fall through a blended curriculum of online courses and a capstone in-person workshop. Online sessions are Nov. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15 and 17 with the in-person workshop on Dec. 1-2 in Boston, MA. For more information on this excellent opportunity, visit the registration page. Early bird discounts end October 1.
We look forward to sharing more about “liberating the leader in every student” through The Student Leadership Challenge with you in coming weeks. Meanwhile, check us out on Facebook and our website.
- Beth High & Gary Morgan, certified facilitators in The Student Leadership Challenge
I always love to hear and see well known leaders stating that they need to focus on developing leaders as early as possible. The Leadership Challenge is one of my favorite books, thanks for the great post
Posted by: James | October 23, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Oh, yeah! This sounds good. It's hard for other people to overcome situations that have left them feeling low during the day. Sometimes it affects what they do. You are right about taking a walk outside. I do that sometimes when I feel bad. It works for me. It's all in the mind.
Posted by: Alexander Tiedemann | December 06, 2011 at 10:11 AM