| Kimberly
believes strongly in the power of young people
to lead. She believes that they can be the most
effective leaders to create change, if given the
support and tools to assist their development.
The greatest challenge, however, to students in
leadership today, is the overwhelming impact of
low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence in
youth. The negative messages that young people
feed themselves and each other daily have served
to cripple the multitude of talents and ambitions
that exist in every student.
Thus the greatest challenge for schools and
those involved with youth is to reach young
people at their core, and assist them in building
a foundation of belief in themselves. This must
be the starting point for any leadership development.
Kimberly believes in helping young people understand
and develop their leadership abilities at all
levels, and in preparing them for leadership
in all stages of life. Student leaders should
be leaders long after finishing school. Experiences
in leadership can give young people a solid
foundation to develop lifelong leadership skills,
and commitment to effecting positive change.
Experiences in leadership can also have powerful
impact on a student's self-esteem, creating
inspiration for future decisions.
"Leadership is an attitude, a way of
living, a belief in creating change.
Leadership is about recognizing opportunities…
to change, to grow, to make a difference. Everyone
has the power to make a difference. We all are
born with a purpose, an impact we are meant
to make on the world around us. When we ignore
that purpose and ability to make an impact,
we feel restless and unsatisfied, but don't
know why. When we doubt who we are, we feel
lost.
Leadership is about making a difference
by being yourself, and using your talents to
create impact. It can be helping one person
or one thousand people. It's about looking at
the situation you are in, and deciding what
skills and talents you have to make the most
of the opportunities at that moment.
Young people have the potential to be the
strongest, most passionate leaders. Young people
want to find answers to every challenge - they
don't accept "no" for an answer! Young
people have new ideas, energy, ways of communicating
and inspiring, and experiences and knowledge
that give them unique perspectives. Most often,
they still believe that anything is possible!
Leadership is about becoming the person
you are meant to be. It is about believing in
yourself and your abilities, and sharing your
talents and gifts with others. It is about accepting
yourself for the amazing person you are, and
for the incredible potential you have. Its about
accepting responsibility for your life, knowing
that the decisions you make are your decisions,
and that you alone determine the impact you
will have on the world around you. It's about
cherishing your life, your potential, your opportunities,
and through your actions, inspiring the people
around you to do the same. Leadership is lifelong
- the potential to make a difference in many
places in many ways."
|
