“If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
There is nothing that energises and motivates a student body like a vision to accomplish something special. Leadership is the unique ability to influence people to move toward goals that are advantageous and meet your peers and school communities’ best interests.
As a leader, work with your team to outline a vision for your portfolio. What do you hope to accomplish? What legacy would you like to lead? What theme or word would you like your school community to have? A good vision motivates and unifies your school community.
Once you have an overarching vision; condense it into a slogan — something that could fit on a t-shirt. Make a poster, repeat the slogan at every assembly and rally your peers behind it.
Here are a few slogans from political campaigns to get you brainstorming:
1903: Women’s Social and Political Union – Deeds Not Words
1960: John. F Kennedy – A Time for Greatness
2007: John Howard – Go For Growth
2008: Barack Obama – Yes We Can
2016: Theresa May – Strong & Stable
2017: Jacinda Adern – Let’s Do This
Construct your vision like a blazing campfire which your peers will gather around and like a campfire your vision will provide light, energy, warmth and unity for your school community.