Lyndsey | Burlington, VT

Leadership is...encouraging and empowering others through one’s attitude and actions. Driven by motivation to make a positive impact on his or her environment, these actions can have tremendous effects on the way that others behave, whether it be in a community as small as a high school or as large as an entire country.

Leadership in Life... Fearful, shy, and unwilling to adapt: these are the words that...

Briana | Royal Palm Beach, FL

Leadership is... the daily practice of motivating others to achieve their goals and dreams by being an example of what can be achievable through hard work and dedication.

Leadership in Life... When I was 8 years old, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I worked hard academically and personally to achieve what I have so far in life, and I continue to work hard by reminding myself that my disability is my...

Jasmine | Houston, TX

Leadership is... the ability to rise to the occasion. It’s about stepping up and doing whatever is necessary to see successful outcomes, in spite of any setbacks.

Leadership in Life... A time in my life where I had the most personal growth and rose to the occasion had to be post-bachelor's degree. I was a Magna Cum Laude graduate without any job prospects and COUNTLESS business school rejection letters. I h...

Kinsey | Harbor Beach, MI

Leadership is... a way to accomplish goals through the increased productivity and motivation of others, in addition to yourself. Leadership can be uncomfortable, impactful, uplifting, and fulfilling.

Leadership in Life... I found my leadership potential during one of the greatest life transitions – moving from my small hometown to a college campus with over 50,000 students. At first I felt scared, alone...

Molly | Age: 22 | Wilmington, MA

Leadership is... throwing your full self into something you believe in, even if it creates enemies. Being a leader does not always equate to being popular; it equates to having impact.

Leadership in Life... My sophomore year of college, I was voted into the position of international break chair in Alpha Phi Omega. I led a group of twenty students and one faculty member to Costa Rica for a week of...

Savannah | Age: 20 | Fraser, MI

Co-Founder, Pack Your Back

Leadership is... inspiring others to care about the world around them.

Leadership in Life... I would not be the person or leader I am today without the Michigan Youth Leadership conference. When I attended the conference, I figured it would be like the other leadership seminars I had been to. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The magic and personal growth I experienced in...

Matt | Age: 19 | Bel Air, MD

Founder, SAND Apparel

Leadership is... the capacity to self motivate oneself to the point where others admire and use that resilience to motivate themselves. Among others, in the face of adversity, a leader will steer their own path guided by their own moral judgment.

Leadership in Life... It was late October, nearly two years ago today, that I was on the varsity soccer team for my high school. One da...

Jahi | Age: 22 | Baton Rouge, LA

Founder, The 821 Project

Leadership is... empowering others to make a difference in the community and affirming their truths.

Leadership in Life... Starting The 821 Project has provided me with many opportunities for personal growth. I founded the organization because I felt that there needed to be a space for people in south Louisiana to embrace global citizenship by learning about social issues...

Grace | Age: 21 | Silver Spring, MD

Leadership is... fostering and supporting growth in others so that they can reach their highest potential, while humbly challenging yourself to do the same.

Leadership in Life... My sophomore year of college, I was rejected from a leadership position (within a group I was that already involved with) that I desperately wanted. I was upset at first, but I still felt a desire to lead. Instead of...

Austin | Age: 18 | Newport, MI

Musician

Leadership is... striving to make a positive impact on your peers by exemplifying qualities and traits that will make the world a better, and overall, happier place.

Leadership in Life... As most of us know, high school can be known as a place where bad decisions are made. It's almost like a factory, mass producing them on an assembly line. I made quite a few of those bad decisions in my ea...