What Leadership Means to Us

By Pallavi Rudraraju, VA Middle School Program Coordinator

Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff

This week marks the first full week of Spring (regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil has to say about it), and with fast-approaching, warm weather and bright sunshine comes a new focus on leadership and career exploration in the VA Middle School programs. Last week, VAMS youth had workshops on the 4 Leadership Styles, which helped them understand their individual leadership style. A well-functioning team has all 4 types of leaders represented within their group.

Red leaders are logical and analytical, they work well with numbers.

Blue leaders are the “big picture” thinkers, innovative, creative, and forward-thinking.

Green leaders are the “people people” who bring people together, resolve conflicts, and build good relationships within the group.

Yellow leaders are the cheerleaders of the group, keeping their teams focused and propelling them into action when they lose energy.

Youth at Holmes and Poe had many insightful ideas of what leadership means. To us, a good leader:

1) Is open-minded.

2) Listens to everyone.

3) Is confident and trusts themselves, but also…

4) Trusts in their team.

5) Has good core values.

6) Cares about the well-being of others.

7) Commands attention.

Do you agree with our list? We hope this list might help guide any of you who are unsure of your leadership abilities – there is a leader in each and every one of us!