"All leaders should be leading with kindness and empathy and respect for other people, which in general, I think means leading by example." Aradhna da Silva
What If the Clearest Leadership Insights Are Coming from Teenagers?
The next generation has something to say, and we should be listening.
In this latest episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I turn the mic over to a group of high school students who share their honest, thoughtful reflections on leadership.
A few months ago I spoke at Career Day at my daughter’s high school in Queens, New York. Between sessions I set up a makeshift podcast studio down the hall and asked teens three questions about leadership:
What’s one quality every leader should have?
What’s a leadership myth you think isn’t true?
If you could lead one change in the world, what would it be—and what would you do first?
These aren’t rehearsed answers.
They’re real insights from teens who are already paying close attention to what leadership looks like and what it should look like.
Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:
The top qualities teens want in a leader
Empathy. Kindness. Flexibility. These so-called soft skills came up again and again. Today’s teens instinctively understand what many of us spend years learning the hard way.
The leadership myths they’re ready to let go of
From the cold and calculating CEO stereotype to the idea that leaders are born, not made, these students are challenging the stories we’ve long accepted in media, school, and the workplace.
How they would lead change in the world
Their visions for change are clear and urgent. They want to expand opportunity, amplify unheard voices, and bridge divides.
But perhaps most importantly, they want to restore hope. Yes, they used that word hope. And they’re thinking about how to do it now, not someday.
A final conversation with my daughter
To close the episode, I sit down with Aradhna to reflect on everything we heard. I ask her which answers stood out the most and why. We talk about what these views say about her generation’s perspective on leadership. And perhaps most importantly, I ask her what she hopes adults—leaders, teachers, coaches, and parents—take away from hearing the voices of her peers. Her thoughts summarize and add depth to what her peers say about leadership.
As you listen, I invite you to reflect on these questions for yourself
What’s one quality YOU want to be known for as a leader?
What a leadership myth YOU might still be holding onto?
If YOU could lead one change in the world, what would your first step be?
As you can clearly see, leadership doesn’t belong to one age group. It belongs to anyone willing to imagine something better and then willing to take action.
These students reminded me of that. If you're helping shape the next generation - at work, at school, or at home - don’t underestimate how much they already understand.
And how much they can teach us.
Listen to the full episode here
You are always welcome to take a seat at the table where every conversation has the potential for transformative change.
If you're ready to take your leadership to the next level or empower your teams for success, I'm here to help. Reach out to me directly at winnie@winnifred.org or check out my website at www.winniedasilva.com to learn more about my work in coaching executives, developing critical leadership skills, and working with clients to build effective teams.
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