I'm always on the lookout for great student leadership resources. Today I got an email from a company that I believe is doing a great job in equipping student leaders, as well as, those who work with them - Growing Leaders.com.
They are starting a new online discussion group, centered around student leadership issues. They're calling it The Leadership Cafe'. They want to start a conversation about those who influence in our culture.
Every seven to ten days, "Growing Leaders" will send out an email to interested students, challenging them to think about leadership and pop culture. Below, is our first article. Feel free to forward it to students you think would enjoy the conversation. In fact, anyone can sign up for the electronic article on our website, and join the dialogue of those already in the "cafe." Come on in. Read. Ponder. Post your thoughts...
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Lance Armstrong, Michael Jackson, Brad Pitt...
Just Because I’m Public, Do I Have to be a Leader?If he’d been caught cheating in 1999, we might never have known his name. At the age of 27, after beating cancer and returning to the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong began a legacy that would make him one of the most renowned athletes in the world—the seven time champion of the world’s greatest bike race.
Now six years later, his glorious beginnings are under harsh scrutiny, and his words and actions may soon proclaim him one of the best known hypocrites in the world. Why? Performance enhancing drugs. Evidence reported by a newspaper suggests that he cheated before he began his first race.
Though Lance’s supporters are numerous, he also has many enemies. This is just one of a growing amount of accusations from competitors, fans and even close friends. Lance is a leader...an athlete...and a champion of many causes (including the fight against cancer).
He has set a standard of discipline that athletes will follow for years to come...and he is hated.He’s not alone. Michael Jackson has completed his latest legal battle, and was found innocent of crimes committed against young boys in his bedroom at his Neverland Ranch. He felt vindicated afterward, but he’s also talking about moving out of the U.S. While his fan base is huge, he is weary of the press and the accusations thrown at him about his very “strange” behavior as a 46 year old entertainer.
Brad Pitt has gone from one beautiful woman to another this year, and doesn’t seem to think it’s anyone’s business but his own. Maybe he’s right. Jennifer Anniston would disagree, but Brad says he’s tired of hearing this “and they lived happily ever after” business. And he doesn’t like anyone scrutinizing his lifestyle.
Which brings us to the important question of this week’s “Leadership Café.” It is an unfortunate
reality that as a leader’s influence grows, so does the public scrutiny of his or her life. Their
character becomes public conversation and even people they trust may become their enemies. Public persons, such as athletes, entertainers, movie stars and singers have influence, but often they never bargained to be a leader. Most don’t want the scrutiny—but they do love the influence.
Can one exist without the other?
Interested in joining in the conversation and getting the emails? Click here.
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