What does "everyone leads" mean to you?
TAKING THE LESSONS YOU LEARN BACK HOMEI was raised in a very traditional Latino family. In my community, even though we pride ourselves on our diversity, being gay was not acceptable.
When I was in Public Allies, I had a boss and a mentor who was gay. I grew to love and respect this man. He really showed me that in our community and in our selves, individually, we have to be continuously evolving our ideas about diversity.
I learned through him that a person can lead by bringing that attitude to their community, friends, and family.
And what I did was I went back to my community and worked on some of those diversity issues. It first started with some of my friends, and then it started with organizations I would work with and partner with. I wanted to spread the word that even though we’re in a community of color, we’re not being inclusive. We’re being exclusive. And I asked people about that. Why don’t we see that hypocrisy?
That was a really life-changing experience. Since then, every youth program I’ve ever coordinated or ran has had that component — that we need to understand and accept each other’s differences.
David is currently studying at Hunter College, where he’s pursuing a degree in education with an emphasis in religion and social justice. He was an Ally in the New York class of 2001 and worked until recently as Conservation Organizer in Youth Programs for The Sierra Club of New York City. You can read more about David in Chapter 9 of “Everyone Leads.”
IT’S SOMETHING WE OWE OURSELVES -- AND OUR COMMUNITIESThe idea of “everyone leads” is not just something demonstrated within the confines of non-profit organizations or direct community service. … << read more >>
A CERTAIN CHILDREN’S BOOK SAID IT WELL …We learned a long time ago that elephants, mice and camels – with one hump and with two – poop. Some poops are big, some poops are small and some poops are oddly-shaped. The bottom line, of course, is that while we all do it a little differently, everybody poops. … << read more >>
EVERYONE HAS THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE"Everyone leads" speaks to the fact that each one of us has strengths and experiences from which to lead others in life. Our unique life stories create a lens for us to lead those in our circles of influence. … << read more >>
IT MEANS SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENSImagine the tremendous difference we all can make if we take the small step of changing our perspective and seeing the world and our actions through the lens of having personal accountability ... … << read more >>
BETTERING YOURSELF BY BETTERING YOUR COMMUNITYA leader is an ever evolving picture in my head. I have always admired leaders that exemplify the image of dedicated, empathetic, passionate community members. Leading is about being open and accepting that you will always be a learner who is striving toward better understanding. … << read more >>
REALIZING THE POWER OF MY VOICEIn some capacity everyone leads. Whether you are a leader in your family, workplace, community, or church, you are a leader. … << read more >>
USING MY EXPERIENCE TO HELP OTHER YOUNG DADSI was a teen father at the age of 16. I wasn’t as involved as I should have been as a father. In 2007 I was kicked out of different schools for minor offenses and I ended up at a charter school that allowed me to get my academics together. … << read more >>
IT’S THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOUTo Marc, "everyone leads" means that the person sitting next to you has the potential to make a difference in your life. You can read more about Marc in chapter 5 of the book. … << read more >>
OUTGROWING OUTDATED IDEAS ABOUT LEADERSHIPGrowing up, I assumed leaders had certain traits and qualities that I didn't seem to have. … << read more >>
IT’S EVERYDAY INFLUENCETo Ebony, everyday influence -- in your family, in the board room, at work -- can be a powerful way to lead. You can read more about Ebony in chapter 6 of the book. … << read more >>
LEADERSHIP CAN HAPPEN IN SUPPORTING ROLES, TOOOne of the first things that helped me reach my passion was realizing my purpose and existence in this world. … << read more >>
I listened to a wonderful lecture that Mr. Paul Schmitz gave to me and fellow students at Carroll University on leadership, and if I were to sum up that message, it would be something like this: Leadership is action, not position. … << read more >>
