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Perhaps the most important thing leaders in any area of expertise can do is communicate. They must clearly express certain messages to the people they lead and the people they hope to impact: brand of the organization personal brand of the leader mission and purpose of the organization how the organization will accomplish the mission This past week I had the privilege of working with some high school student leaders from all across the country as part of the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Student Leadership Institute  in Walt Disney World. The institute is called Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT). From the outset at the evening kickoff event, I told the students we would be communicating their week-long journey of leadership to the world on social media. Communication is not just something we should be doing in the classroom, at faculty meetings, or at conferences. If education is to move forward in a meaningful way that includes the perspectives of educators, ...

During our final day of the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Student Leadership Institute , BOLT students learned about the importance of communication, planning, and working with others. A leader does not have to be the smartest person in the room, just the person that can recognize others' talents and figure out how those talents will help everyone reach their goals. On Thursday afternoon one of our last activities, facilitated by  Christian Huizenga , was aimed at teaching the kids to communicate and plan before attacking a problem.  Their hands were tied together with yarn and then intertwined with someone else. They had to find a way out. We kicked off Friday morning with MouseQuest in Epcot.  Continuing the theme of thinking and acting together, students worked in groups of 6-7 to solve clues, find answers, complete tasks, and answer challenges all morning. They had to take on roles within their groups based on their strengths. We celebrated with a group...

Our BOLT student leaders embarked on a new adventure with the YES program in the Magic Kingdom this morning.  They visited the Hall of Presidents and learned about how leaders have helped shaped the American Spirit.  Four core sources of the American Spirit were the focus: optimism determination rugged individualism courage After a day full of investigations, brainstorming, and creating, I put together this video about their latest ideas of leadership.

Our first full day of the Blue Ribbon BOLT program was all about perspective .  We asked students to consider how people of differing perspectives might look as community/global issues. Example 1: Scientists We started the day with the Disney YES Properties of Motion program in the Magic Kingdom.  Kids learned about how gravity, inertia, centripetal force, hydraulics, and pneumonics all play a role in what make rides and roller coasters fun. Disney YES guide Rick has the kids help him demonstrate pneumonic valves. We got to ride Space Mountain twice before the park even opened to the public to learn about potential and kinetic energy.  Then we check out Buzz Lightyear to learn about how hydraulic valves create a different effect in moving attractions than pneumonic valves. The kids pose with Zerg after the Buzz Lightyear ride. Finally, they rode Thunder Mountain to feel centripetal force around those tight curves and while being thrown up and down. Th...

I have the privilege of working with 24 young leaders this week in Walt Disney World as part of the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Student Leadership Institute .  These leaders are from Alabama, Illinois, North Carolina, and many other states all over the country.  I have no doubt that, with their combined talents, they will create something powerful to bring home to their communities. As part of our short kick-off session this evening each young leader defined what the word leadership means to him/her. The result is this powerful podcast . Click that link, download from Google, listen, and have hope for our future when these young leaders are taking action and making positive change. I encourage you to leave comments below for them and check back here each evening this week for more of their phenomenal work!