Leadership is formally defined as the action of leading a group of people or an organization. Ask for More Jackson’s E3, Engage, Enlighten, and Employ’s Leadership Academy pushes that definition further. At E3, being a leader means to be a positive, influential go-getter that inspires others to be their best selves and lay stepping stones to the future. The four-month-long Leadership Academy rested its definition of leadership on the foundation of “The Five Cs” of effective communication: competence, confidence, compassion, connection and character.
On December 9, 2017 E3 Leadership Academy interns participated in their Well-Being Promise Program. To start off the day, interns immediately put one of the five Cs, “connection,” into action. In working groups of six, they selected and discussed different written articles that focused on an integrative approach to total wellness. Interns had a session with Stephen Brown, Get2College Jackson’s Assistant Director of Outreach, on personal-narrative change.
After sharing his own testimony about growing up and evolving as an individual in South Jackson, he showed a presentation of several famous people, all of whom had one thing in common: before they became famous, they all experienced rejection. Mr. Brown’s point to the interns was that you can either accept “No,” or you can use it as a catalyst to building a better future. After this, he equipped the interns with five positive tips on how to change and further develop their own personal narratives. Stephen used all of the Five C’s, focusing on competence and other simple methods to achieving it, like saving at least $5.00 per week. After Brown discussed the five tips, the interns were asked to write and reflect on what they felt were some takeaways. These takeaways were later used as a topic for “Table Talk.”
Stay tuned for more updates on how the Leadership Academy interns wrapped up their of months of hard work and self-development!
