“You plug this into an academic environment that rewards kids based on grades and SAT scores, and you’re creating a reward post for girls that doesn’t work in the real world.”
Dr. Carol Kauffman, founder of the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School and an advisor to the program, says schools’ “modus operandi” for decades has been to “churn students through the systems and move them along, which is a lot easier to do if they’re obedient.” As a result, many women and girls give up or never even put themselves in the game, behaviors which further put them at a disadvantage.
This is a game-changer for many girls. It helps change their narrative from, “I’m not a confident person” to “As a leader, I can grow my confidence every time I choose to step outside my comfort zone.” In order to recast this belief, girls must have access to diverse role models and actively engage in activities that help them connect fear and failure as common and important experiences on the path to accolades and achievement. “In a culture filled with women’s picture-perfect images, picture-perfect social media lives and picture-perfect success stories, girls can get mired even more deeply in the perfectionist trap where fear keeps them from taking action.
Character-based leadership is based on the premise that leadership is not a title or position. Instead, it comes from knowing who you are at your core, developing your capabilities and using your unique strengths to contribute.
What an important article! Thank you samwalravens for such an insightful piece to start the conversation about how to best equip girls & all students to succeed in the future! It is time to make leadership development a core focus of academic education! leadership girlslead