A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Quiet Leader. The one who brings leadership to the team queitly, but powerfully so. She does much of her leading when no one else is looking, and does so in an unthreatening way.
She's continued to do well, taking on more responsibility.
But there's another piece to her now, too. She seems to be trusting me more. She hates talking on the phone, yet I get calls from her, telling me about the newest advertising wave. She cracks jokes, in a mature, yet hysterical fashion. And she calls me out on things when she thinks I need calling out on.
And it is this last piece that is really inspiring. For QL to feel confident enough in herself that she can put me in my place, is really rewarding. She has this great way of doing it - like when she calls her peers out on something - she does so with humor, class and style.
A few weeks ago, she called me out on the fact that I had clearly seen a message on her FB (not that it was hidden, but I try not to read their walls too often - status, yes, walls, no). She called me a 'creeper' - and it became an on-going joke. I started signing emails as G-creeper, she called me G-creeper. But I noticed that this on-going joke seemed to increase her trust in me. Last weekend, she changed the creeper to 'overly affectionate'. Cute.
Later, I had a conversation with one of her friends. Turns out QL has been having a really hard month, and hasn't really been communicating with some of her closest friends. She'd felt a little isolated from them for a variety of reasons, and had been hurt by it. I finally put the pieces together this past weekend. And sent her an email, thanking her for all her hard-work and dedication. She wrote back, saying it was she who should thank me, for giving her the opportunity to grow and to become a leader. She's so humble. And such a role model for adults and youth.
She'll be representing us at a conference next week, and seems excited to go. I couldn't think of a better person, a better team member or a stronger leader to represent us... QL will prove the importance of being a QL.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Success!!
Today was one of those days...one of those days that I doubt I'll ever forget. Tears of pride, baby, tears of PRIDE!
During the summer, we applied to a youth conference in MA to show off our advertising campaign for our new project. About two weeks ago, we got the call that we were accepted. Our task seemed simple - put together a board showcasing all of our advertising products and talk about them to anyone who stops by our table - from 9am to 4pm.
Never, in a million years, did I imagine it would be as successful as it was. Three of the ladies took the lead. We put the board together this morning at the conference site and had extra stickers to give out...We figured there'd be some interest. And was there ever.
I stood by and watched and took photos as young people began trickling in at 9. I stood by and absorbed. I stood by and dropped my jaw. The young ladies chatted with everyone who stopped by. They engaged with everyone who hesitated at the table. They took the challenge and won over 650 young people.
Yes, that is right - 650 young people stopped by our table before the end of the day and the team wowed them all with their poise, elegance and classiness. By the time the two additional gentleman came in after 10am, the ladies were old-hat.
Between the five of them, they talked, explained and put on a show to top all shows! I admit it, I totally teared up a few times...how could I not. The youth were enjoying the praise and exhilaration that comes with doing a job, and doing it well. Their project seemed to take over the whole conference area. Everywhere I looked, there were these neon green stickers...our stickers. The black shirts that many of the young people were wearing, were the perfect backdrop for these stickers - you could see them across the ballroom!!
When the young people went off to their workshops, I stayed behind and chatted with anyone who stopped by - but felt like I couldn't do the project justice like they had been. The youth smiled when they'd walk up, and I'd hand the torch over to them...it was quite something.
And now - I'm watching the numbers...and they're looking really good.
A great day - a great presentation - great experience. Today proves that whatever these young people put their minds to, they can achieve. And it confirms to me, how truly wonderful they are. And how blessed I am to share this time with them. :)
During the summer, we applied to a youth conference in MA to show off our advertising campaign for our new project. About two weeks ago, we got the call that we were accepted. Our task seemed simple - put together a board showcasing all of our advertising products and talk about them to anyone who stops by our table - from 9am to 4pm.
Never, in a million years, did I imagine it would be as successful as it was. Three of the ladies took the lead. We put the board together this morning at the conference site and had extra stickers to give out...We figured there'd be some interest. And was there ever.
I stood by and watched and took photos as young people began trickling in at 9. I stood by and absorbed. I stood by and dropped my jaw. The young ladies chatted with everyone who stopped by. They engaged with everyone who hesitated at the table. They took the challenge and won over 650 young people.
Yes, that is right - 650 young people stopped by our table before the end of the day and the team wowed them all with their poise, elegance and classiness. By the time the two additional gentleman came in after 10am, the ladies were old-hat.
Between the five of them, they talked, explained and put on a show to top all shows! I admit it, I totally teared up a few times...how could I not. The youth were enjoying the praise and exhilaration that comes with doing a job, and doing it well. Their project seemed to take over the whole conference area. Everywhere I looked, there were these neon green stickers...our stickers. The black shirts that many of the young people were wearing, were the perfect backdrop for these stickers - you could see them across the ballroom!!
When the young people went off to their workshops, I stayed behind and chatted with anyone who stopped by - but felt like I couldn't do the project justice like they had been. The youth smiled when they'd walk up, and I'd hand the torch over to them...it was quite something.
And now - I'm watching the numbers...and they're looking really good.
A great day - a great presentation - great experience. Today proves that whatever these young people put their minds to, they can achieve. And it confirms to me, how truly wonderful they are. And how blessed I am to share this time with them. :)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Looking back - and forward. Hope.
Sometimes, I just find myself in a reflective mood. This weekend, I have felt more reflective than usual, perhaps because I've had a little more time to sit and reflect!
At any rate, I found myself re-reading some blog posts from the past year. And I found myself smiling, a lot. Re-reading those memories, recalling the stories behind the blogs - the highs and some of the lows was incredibly fun and encouraging.
Although looking back is not always useful, in this case, I find it to be more full-filling. The young peeps, some a little older now than when I originally wrote about them (well, ok, they're all older, but some have just graduated to Mentorship), have grown into their new roles. And others, who disappeared for as much as a year, have returned, at least on the fringes.
The ups and downs, the ins and outs. They're all fun to remember - for in every down, we learned a lesson. In every up, we celebrated.
But to see how young people, new ones all the time, continue to CARE about their community. Continue to WANT to make a difference. Continue to be PASSIONATE about their work. It encourages me. It gives me HOPE.
It reminds me that, though we sometimes wish life was a straight road, the curves can be just as pleasing. They sometimes provide more sustainence than we give them credit for. Or at least, than I give them credit for.
And while I really am surprised by how long I've been writing this blog (although I admit I'm a little sporadic at it!), it is how quickly that time has gone that has REALLY surprised me. I feel like I blink and I miss a whole year. Call me nostalgic, if you will (go ahead, I admit it, I'm being nostalgic), but I'm not really. I feel like each week, my heart grows as another young person siddles into a new section of it. And each week, I see the change happening before my very eyes.
I'm buoyed by the growth of the young people. I'm encouraged by their dedication. I'm ready to see how things stand one year from now. But mostly, I'm really just grateful to know so many amazing young people. And even more grateful that they care, want and are passionate about change. They are hope.
At any rate, I found myself re-reading some blog posts from the past year. And I found myself smiling, a lot. Re-reading those memories, recalling the stories behind the blogs - the highs and some of the lows was incredibly fun and encouraging.
Although looking back is not always useful, in this case, I find it to be more full-filling. The young peeps, some a little older now than when I originally wrote about them (well, ok, they're all older, but some have just graduated to Mentorship), have grown into their new roles. And others, who disappeared for as much as a year, have returned, at least on the fringes.
The ups and downs, the ins and outs. They're all fun to remember - for in every down, we learned a lesson. In every up, we celebrated.
But to see how young people, new ones all the time, continue to CARE about their community. Continue to WANT to make a difference. Continue to be PASSIONATE about their work. It encourages me. It gives me HOPE.
It reminds me that, though we sometimes wish life was a straight road, the curves can be just as pleasing. They sometimes provide more sustainence than we give them credit for. Or at least, than I give them credit for.
And while I really am surprised by how long I've been writing this blog (although I admit I'm a little sporadic at it!), it is how quickly that time has gone that has REALLY surprised me. I feel like I blink and I miss a whole year. Call me nostalgic, if you will (go ahead, I admit it, I'm being nostalgic), but I'm not really. I feel like each week, my heart grows as another young person siddles into a new section of it. And each week, I see the change happening before my very eyes.
I'm buoyed by the growth of the young people. I'm encouraged by their dedication. I'm ready to see how things stand one year from now. But mostly, I'm really just grateful to know so many amazing young people. And even more grateful that they care, want and are passionate about change. They are hope.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Watching young people succeed
Although one day can make my heart snap, another can make it soar with pride. Young people, and their ability and knowledge and drive, know what they want, and how they want it.
As I mentioned earlier, we launched a project in early September. It has been a really fun time, though not without a few stressful moments!
But, the thing that I love is that, whatever else we think, the youth keep reminding us that this project is 'youth driven.' That's right - when I, or another advisor, makes a suggestion that is a little more adult-focused than youth focused, we get the ixnay.
For example, someone gave us funding for an additional 100 t-shirts. Of course this meant that we had to come up with a plan for these new products. The other advisor and I suggested maybe the coaches of the school's sports teams and/or some of the favorite teachers wearing them.
Well, the young peeps said, um, how about we ask the CAPTAINS of the teams to wear them, and then some of the other students we know are leaders?
Oh right. That makes sense. In fact, it makes a lot more sense! And I'm sure it has a lot more pull.
It is a great sign. To me, it means that they are taking ownership. They're thinking about how they would be intrigued enough to use the new service.
When I recently selected a pretty flashy pencil to order, they ixnayed that, too. Choosing, instead, a pencil that changes colors when you touch it.
I love the ownership. I am empowered by their leadership. And while they aren't all able to come to the meetings at the moment, they're engaged in the project. They're communicating with one another.
And the smile on their faces when they hear how someone liked their project, or made a comment about how cool it was, is priceless.
I'm lucky to work with them. And that we've found a few adults who are incredibly supportive of them.
They make all the heart-snapping oh-so-worth-it!
As I mentioned earlier, we launched a project in early September. It has been a really fun time, though not without a few stressful moments!
But, the thing that I love is that, whatever else we think, the youth keep reminding us that this project is 'youth driven.' That's right - when I, or another advisor, makes a suggestion that is a little more adult-focused than youth focused, we get the ixnay.
For example, someone gave us funding for an additional 100 t-shirts. Of course this meant that we had to come up with a plan for these new products. The other advisor and I suggested maybe the coaches of the school's sports teams and/or some of the favorite teachers wearing them.
Well, the young peeps said, um, how about we ask the CAPTAINS of the teams to wear them, and then some of the other students we know are leaders?
Oh right. That makes sense. In fact, it makes a lot more sense! And I'm sure it has a lot more pull.
It is a great sign. To me, it means that they are taking ownership. They're thinking about how they would be intrigued enough to use the new service.
When I recently selected a pretty flashy pencil to order, they ixnayed that, too. Choosing, instead, a pencil that changes colors when you touch it.
I love the ownership. I am empowered by their leadership. And while they aren't all able to come to the meetings at the moment, they're engaged in the project. They're communicating with one another.
And the smile on their faces when they hear how someone liked their project, or made a comment about how cool it was, is priceless.
I'm lucky to work with them. And that we've found a few adults who are incredibly supportive of them.
They make all the heart-snapping oh-so-worth-it!
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