The History and Reason for LEFThp
After exiting the Army as a Sargent, the founder help teach and train soldiers in leadership development and military science. He then return home to Winston Salem, NC. In 2001 he entered studies at a local community college where he meet several students with skills and talent to be leaders, but lack the confidence or felt they were not capable. One student made a statement of, “I can’t lead this project, I don’t know how to lead.” Research lead the founder to believe that students coming into the community colleges have skills and talents that will help them become great leaders, but have no formal education or training in leadership. Without any experience, education or training in leadership most students where not confident or aware how to use their skills in a leadership role. The founder sought opportunities to help other students to develop their skills and build confidence to enable them to assume leadership roles and be successful. He used the lessons he learned as a Train the Trainer in the military and the leadership training programs he has attended, by modifying them to mentor or train other students. This lead to him receiving the Ron McNair Medallion in Leadership Excellence. He continued such activities at the university level, helping plan and execute projects and events, mentor and support other students in leadership roles. He worked with students in five different student organizations to earn the Lincoln Leadership award upon graduation. During this time he began brain storming ideas of how he could continue to impact college students trough mentoring or training to increase the leadership skills of these young men and women. Researching different ideas and seeking suggestion form professors, colleagues and friends, the founder realized the best method and the most suggested method was to develop his ideas and programs into a nonprofit organization. The idea of LEFT was inspired by a conversation with his wife and friends as they were discussing using a name that matched the mission. Thus LEFT was established, then over a two month process of brain storming and evaluations and trials with friends LEFT was extended to become; Leadership Education for Tomorrow. Leadership: The overall purpose is to develop young leaders by developing leadership skills in communications, delegation, ethics, mentoring, organization, planning, and team building. Education: Provide workshops, seminars and mentoring to educate young adults in leadership topics. Also provide suggestion in books, magazines and online resources for self development in these topics. For Tomorrow: Developing at-risk-youth and young adults to help prepare them to become the leaders we will need in the next few years, next decade and beyond. As Baby-Boomers are beginning to retire in large numbers, currently we do not have the extensive pool of replacements they provide for their elders. |
Coaching Your Kids to be Leaders
The fact that our kids are woefully unprepared to deal with real life” (Jay Strack, President of Student Leadership University) The Student Leadership Training Program.
“Less than 1 percent of all of the high schools in America teach leadership as a class. Less than .05 of 1 percent of high school students ever attend a leadership program of any kind.” Center for Creative Leadership
Polling a panel on leadership, the panel concluded that the young adults in the work force lack a work ethic, lack the ability to communicate face-to-face, nor able to make decisions. (Ellen Velsor, Developing Young Leaders. The National Association of Colleges & Employers
College graduates are not employable because they lack: spelling skills (45%), written communication skills (41%), problem solving skills (38%), and lack of oral communication skills (30%). The New York Times
“job candidates are lacking most in written and oral communication skills, adaptability and managing multiple priorities, and making decisions and problem solving.” Alina Tugend. Indiana University News Room
"For the past two decades, Hispanics have had the highest high school dropout rate of any ethnic group anywhere in the country. Only one in five who go to college finish," he said. "The demographic increase won't do any good if we don't teach leadership skills and offer guidance." |