At the heart of initiative is ownership and pride. What is ownership? Ownership is that step you take beyond responsibility. It means you aren’t just acknowledging an obligation; you are committing yourself to doing whatever it takes to get a task done correctly. Why is ownership an important component of initiative? When you own something, […]
At the Bender Leadership Academy, we believe that advocacy is a critical skill for our students. To be a true advocate is to empower yourself and others. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand how to take the step from wanting to be an advocate to taking action which can bring about change. So, we […]
I have never had a job before, how can I have a resume? Working with high school students, we have heard this question countless times. The problem is that too many people think of a resume as a just list of jobs rather than as an advertisement for what would make them an awesome employee. […]
Join Bender Leadership Academy and New York Times best selling author, Karin Slaughter, in the continued fight against stigma. Stigma refers to beliefs about people that are unfair or negative because they have a common characteristic, such as having a disability, religious beliefs, the color of a person’s skin, gender, how much money they make, […]
As 2023 ends, it is time to consider the year ahead and make your resolutions. As young leaders, take a moment to make resolutions that support your future successes and build on your leadership skills. Explore the ideas below and then establish your own resolutions for 2024. Write down your goals and look at them […]
One of the ways that teens can build up their resume, both for future job opportunities and for post-high school education applications, is to become a volunteer. In fact, volunteering has the potential to increase your odds of getting offered a job by 27% according to a study by the Corporation for National and Community […]
During the holiday week of Thanksgiving, I hear greetings of “Happy Thanksgiving” or receive notes or e-mails wishing me those greetings every year. It is always so heartwarming to receive these greetings from friends, family, the cashier at the grocery store, or a Starbuck’s employee at the drive through window. But I wonder how many […]
Everyone has an attitude. How would you define yours? We tend to see attitude as only positive or negative, but a positive or negative outlook is made up of many micro-decisions about how we feel, what we believe, and how we act. Unlike emotions, an attitude is something we adopt – it is something we […]
“Disability Mentoring Day is not just a day on the calendar; it is a reminder that our community is richer and more vibrant when we embrace the unique strengths and perspectives that come from individuals of all abilities,” is the message Joycelyn Mahmoud, Bender Leadership Academy Alumni and current part-time employee with Calgon Carbon, shared […]
Many people envision leaders as someone who is standing at a podium, commanding a room, or rallying their team. Leaders are viewed as great orators (speakers) or influencers. However, there is one very critical skill that the best leaders have that is often overlooked – the ability to listen. This skill is especially important for […]