The Brave Ones

For the last few years, the university I work for has been a host site for Leadercast. Leadercast is an organization that aims to bring leaders together and inspire a new generation of leaders. We're not talking about CEOs, Fortune 500 company presidents, state governors, we're talking about being a leader in every day life, work, community, household (and of course if you choose to take on one of those titles I mentioned, good for you!) Side note, if I could figure out how to land a job with Leadercast I would be all over that...so if there are any insiders, let me know the secret to getting in! ;)

Leadership is one of the areas I love studying. Every leader has a different style of bringing individuals together and encouraging them to become leaders on their own two feet. During my masters program I was required to take a leadership course and loved every minute of it. Of course it was theory based and talked a lot about learning to lead through different styles, but I also had the chance to read a book I found motivating. Big Man on Campus: A University President Speaks Out on Higher Education by Stephen Trachtenberg, President Emeritus of George Washington University. If you work in higher education I recommend reading this book. He makes some really great points regarding higher education administration.

I digress, Leadercast is the one event I look forward to every year. This year thousands of people viewed from across the world as leaders like Ed Catmull, President of Pixar & Disney Animation Studios, Rudy Giuliani, 107th Mayor of New York City, and Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Laureate and Founder of The Malala Fund spoke about their journey and advice for those of us just setting out. This years theme was The Brave Ones and centered around doing the brave thing. It takes a lot of bravery to rise as a leader or stand up for a belief. To become one of "The Brave Ones" means to cast aside trepidation and lead fearlessly.

Some of my take aways from the event:

• Follow your broken heart (Andy Stanley): meaning follow what moves you. See a problem in your community? Step up and make a change. See video below.
• Don't "how" an idea to death (Andy Stanley): I'm guilty of having or hearing an idea and immediately start "howing" it...how will we get funding? how will we make it work? how can I get people on board? Instead, say "wow"
• Immerse yourself in fear to find bravery (Rorke Denver): This brings me back to my post about Why Blog; step outside your comfort zone, it's where great things happen.
• Don't wait for someone else (Malala Yousafzai): What are you waiting for? Don't wait for someone else to take a stand. Speak up!
• Find your place where you can improve the lives of others (Rudy Giuliani): For me, this relates a lot to follow your broken heart. 

If that doesn't move you then I don't know what does.

Stand up, speak up, and follow your broken heart!

Thank you Leadercast for another great year! Looking forward to next year's theme, Architect of Tomorrow. Until next post...xoxo Becca