15 Self-Leadership Lessons From My High School Student

Nobody can dispute how tough the last couple of years have been for just about everybody. I have watched in awe as my daughter has navigated the last two years of high school during the pandemic. She, like many students, has faced:

• Home schooling for weeks on end, in each of the last 2 years.
• A teaching staff trying to come to terms with how to lead their senior students online through this critical period in their education.
• Multiple lockdowns, meaning no face-to-face time with her friends and study partners. Both things she thrives on.
• Completing her Higher School Certificate (HSC) trial examinations at home, rather than in true exam conditions.
• The postponement of the HSC for a month due to lockdown.
• Completing the HSC exams in a facemask.
• Leaving school at the end of Term 2 in June, not knowing she would never return to the school class room again.
• HSC Results being delayed until after Christmas because the HSC exams were delayed for a month.

And much more.

So today was the day. The results are in. And let me tell you, a very proud mum moment. She has achieved every one of her goals.

We’ve been chatting on and off since she learned about her results this morning. And I asked, what she thinks helped her achieve her goals during what were an incredibly challenging and trying set of circumstances in what is already an extended period of stress of getting ready to complete the HSC.

This is what she shared with me:

1. Always keep your eye on the prize, the big picture.
2. Have a plan… and be prepared to change it as circumstances change.
3. When you have the opportunity, put in the hard work because you never know what is coming.
4. Have a support structure.
5. Stay in communication.
6. Collaborate however you can.
7. Encourage each other.
8. Celebrate wins and progress for everyone.
9. Share learning and best practice.
10. Reach out for help when you need it. Don’t wait.
11. Don’t sweat the small stuff, be consistent about the big stuff.
12. Listen to what you need. If you’re having a low day, that’s OK. Give yourself permission to have a low day rather than beating yourself up.
13. Then, when you’re able, get on with it. Remember the goal.
14. Know that the work you have already done puts you in a good position, even when things go off track.
15. Keep your perspective.

Seems pretty sensible to me.

Remember, leadership starts with you.

First Lead Yourself.

So, which of these lessons do you need to put into practice so you can show up as a leader this year?

I’d love to know your thoughts.