Why Leadership Needs More Than a Classroom (And What Teens Really Need Instead)
At the heart of it, most parents want one thing for their teens: to grow into people who are confident in themselves, clear in their values, and capable of navigating life with purpose.
We want our kids to be able to think for themselves, speak with confidence, and make decisions that reflect who they truly are—not just what the world expects of them.
That kind of leadership—the grounded, inner kind—doesn’t emerge from a textbook. And it’s not something that can be downloaded in a workshop or taught in a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Yet so often, that’s what leadership training becomes: a set of external behaviors and surface-level skills. Public speaking. Group projects. Model UN. These are all useful, but they don’t address the deeper, quieter skills that teens need to truly lead.
What’s often missing is the inner foundation:
Do they know what matters to them?
Can they trust their instincts?
Do they have the confidence to make aligned choices—even when no one’s watching?
Can they pause before reacting—and stand behind their own voice when it counts?
In my experience, teens don’t become strong leaders because someone told them how to lead. They grow into leadership when they’ve been given space to explore who they are, to be challenged in meaningful ways, and to discover their own rhythm, voice, and strength.
That kind of space is rare—and it’s becoming rarer. Between school demands, digital overwhelm, and social pressure, teens are constantly absorbing input. But rarely do they get the chance to pause and ask: What do I believe? How do I want to move through the world?
Leadership isn’t just about how you show up in front of others. It’s about how you relate to yourself. Can you make a decision you’re proud of? Can you stay present when things feel uncertain? Can you speak your truth—especially when it’s hard?
These aren’t theoretical questions. They’re skills. And like any skill, they need time, practice, and the right conditions to grow.
That belief led me to create L.E.A.D., a one-day, in-person intensive for teens aged 13–18. Held at The River Rock Resort in Richmond, B.C., it’s designed to help teens slow down, step away from their everyday pressures, and build confidence from the inside out.
L.E.A.D. offers a fresh approach—blending movement, real-life leadership challenges, and honest conversation in a supportive, non-classroom setting. It’s not about perfection or performance. It’s about presence, direction, and learning how to show up as yourself.
Throughout the day, teens:
Explore what leadership means to them
Participate in hands-on challenges
Develop tools for clarity, confidence, and decision-making
Practice communicating with intention and listening with empathy
And they do all of it in a space that’s safe, grounded, and real.
The world teens are growing up in today is complex, fast-paced, and often overwhelming. It asks a lot of them—but rarely gives them the space to pause, reflect, and connect with who they are.
Programs like L.E.A.D. don’t replace traditional education—they complement it. They help teens build the kind of leadership that starts from within and lasts beyond the classroom.
L.E.A.D. takes place on August 5, 2025, and is open to teens ages 13–18—no prior dance experience needed.
Learn more or register at www.thedanceleadershipinstitute.com/lead
L.E.A.D. INTENSIVE
A One-Day Leadership Experience for Teen Dancers
🗓 August 5, 2025
📍 River Rock Resort – Richmond, BC
🕘 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
🎟 $199 + GST until July 5, 2025
🧑🤝🧑 Ages 13–18 (no dance experience required)
