Youth leadership training is a pivotal investment in the development of young individuals, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and vision necessary to become effective leaders in their communities and beyond. Here are some of the key benefits of participating in youth leadership programs.

What makes a good instructional coach? Is content knowledge or people skills?

Encouraging leadership in teens is a crucial step in their personal and professional development. But for most, it seems hard to execute as the idea is a little abstract and overcomplicated. Helping people build their confidence has little to do with what you say to them and more to do with what responsibility you give to them.

Great leadership is rarely about being everything to everyone. It’s about knowing your strengths, recognizing your limitations, and surrounding yourself with the right people to complement your abilities. Organizations that prioritize building balanced leadership teams will not only avoid the pitfalls of one-dimensional leadership but also create a foundation for sustainable success.

Leadership is hard. It’s not a natural next step for everyone, and that’s okay. The key is recognizing that leading isn’t about being the best at the work itself; it’s about empowering others to be their best. When we invest in helping leaders build the skills they need, we create better work environments, stronger teams, and a brighter future for everyone involved.

Learn how to start a student leadership program in your school with our comprehensive guide. Discover the steps to develop leadership skills, engage students, and create a positive school culture.

Building a youth leadership program that fosters a student-led school culture requires those that have been in the field to let go of some pre-conceived notions about structure and ownership. Student-Led is the future. That is, if you want a school culture that is impactful and drives engagement. Students need to be the drivers of their reality. It creates buy-in to a system of education that is not human-centered or aware.

Let’s be honest, not everyone is into the idea of letting students decide how to build a school culture. It involves letting go of control to a certain extent. Not many like this idea. Too often students are asked for their input on what could be done but little action comes from the students’ voice.  What is a surefire way to make sure students don’t participate in school culture? You guessed it - don’t take their input seriously.

Teen leadership development programs prepare students for the future through presenting challenges that allow them to practice their communication and problem-solving skills. Here are 10 skills to build in your programs.

When selecting a strategic planning consultant, it is best to select those who have industry experience. All schools, whether public or independent, live a dual reality. They have to manage finances and watch the bottom line like any business, but while also being viewed by the community as a service organization where only “doing right by the community” matters.

Increasing engagement of community stakeholders is hard. But it doesn't have to be. There are key steps to take and strategies to execute that can have a direct impact on your stakeholder engagement.

Strategic planning in the K12 education sector is a critical process that shapes the future of schools and the success of students. It's a dynamic, collaborative effort that requires a clear vision, actionable goals, and a commitment to change.  But how can we make sure it is successful?

Most instructional coaches I know suffer from imposter syndrome.

A few common threads appear when we explore why: minimal to no training, lack of leadership support for direction, and no concrete data to show impact.

More professional development doesn’t fix this. It only happens with as an intentional part of your program that leadership and the instructional coach agree on.

The heart of building relationships is not about what transactional service you provide. It is not about the quality of the chocolates you leave on their desks. It is about who you are and how you present yourself to the people you serve.

Whatever the method, find the cause for why people do and don’t feel psychologically safe to speak their mind and take risks.