L.E.A.D.

We're asked often what L.E.A.D. means? People obviously recognise the combination of letters together, but notice for us it forms an acronym and so are curious. L.E.A.D. is the philosophy that underpins all that we do. But really importantly, like we again experienced yesterday, it's not only about what it means, it's also about how it leaves you feeling.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is taking care of those in your charge." - Simon Sinek

I'd just finished the middle session for the client group, passing the Year 6 students back to their teachers. As I began packing away some of the equipment we'd been using, two girls walked up to me. Their faces were lit up, I could tell they were bursting to tell me something. They'd decided it couldn't wait until after listening to their teachers instructions about the lunch procedures. What they said next is why we love being a part of the learning and leadership journeys of students from within our client schools.

"The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." - Ralph Nader

Gratitude began flowing. They were just so appreciative. Certain activities, and the reflections that followed them, had seen them completely come to life. I loved it when they said they'd been paired for a particular creative activity and hadn't started it for so long because 'the deepest conversation' was opened up from what they'd been a part of learning during the day. They just kept saying, 'Thank you for helping us see what real leadership is!'

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams

Yesterday's group, like all that we are privileged to work with, are incredibly inspiring in the way they keep bringing leadership to life right throughout the day. When we're able to build an individual and shared understanding of, connection to and authentic pathways for making leadership real, that's where we experience the true meaning of L.E.A.D.. It's so inspiring to be a part of the participant's growth and development within our program experiences, but what we love most is then hearing about the positive difference that they continue making well after we have gone. We can all L.E.A.D. each and every day!

"The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority." - Ken Blanchard