Today, I spoke to a leadership class at the new Battle High School, about my personal experience with leadership.
Among other things, I shared this list with them…
Leadership lessons I wish someone had taught me in high school
- Choose to lead. Most of the time, you can become the leader simply by putting yourself forward.
- If at all possible, be the one to walk in with a written agenda. The person who creates the agenda runs the meeting.
- Always be the most prepared.
- Be the person who gets things done and makes things easy.
- Learn to count votes; if there is a vote you care about, have it won before you enter the room or don’t let it happen.
- Get really good at choosing your battles. Let others win the ones you do not really care about.
- If you can’t be the president, then be the secretary. The secretary keeps the minutes and decides what will be remembered.
- Never make anyone do anything you would not do yourself.
- Remember that leadership is not about you, it is about them. Find ways to make people look good and feel good.
- Be the one to make the hard choices, then live with them.
If these kids are any indication of our future leadership, then I feel both secure and anxious to see the awesome things they will accomplish!
Sean Spence
Partner, Director of Operations and Strategy
Caledon Virtual
