On Tuesday, Sinclair’s National Society of Leadership and Success hosted the first annual Leadership conference in a partnership with Tech Prep.
The event was held to inspire high school students to become successful by hearing the actions of certain successful individuals from the Miami Valley.
James Brown, an award winning anchor for WHIO television shared his views of life and leadership with the audience, beginning with advice on how to speak and address individuals. “Don’t talk at people, talk with people and don’t be intimidated by them because they might be as intimidated as you are,” Brown said.
Afterward, he told the story of his recovery from being paralyzed in high school and choosing not to feel sorry for himself.
“I could be in a wheel-chair today, but I refused to give up and to you all, you’re all young and you have so many opportunities in front of you- what you see tomorrow as a failure, you’ll look back in ten years and you’ll shake your head and laugh,” Brown said.
His seven-year-old son, James Brown V gave him some helpful advice that he shared with the audience, “You have to listen to learn, learn to listen”.
Maksym Gerasimov, a current Sinclair student and former student president of NSLS, spoke of coming from the Ukraine to pursue an education with Sinclair. He spent many hours everyday studying, but did not learn anything from it. He was told by two of his professors that the knowledge he learns in his class is temporary, but the practical knowledge is more important to have.
“It’s more important to know and have practical knowledge, instead of theoretical knowledge.”
Gerasimov admits that he knows that his grade point average has probably gone done since his start at Sinclair in 2012.
He said says that he is happier because he has found his true passion, which is to help people.
“It is important for me to know that something that I do actually makes something better for others,” Gerasimov said.
He concluded his presentation with some personal inspiration by letting the audience know that optimism and passion is the key to success.
“Optimism is what helped many people around the world achieve great things.”
Charles Knippen is the National President of NSLS, who spoke about what motivates the actions of a person. Knippen said that Sinclair is the only school to give high school students in the Tech Prep program access to the resources of NSLS.
“It thrills me to no end to know that this is happening here in Ohio,” Kippen said.
He encouraged the guests, to find something that motivates them to moves them to greatness. Knippen spoke about an experience in a leadership program when he was a junior in high school. While his program was attending a leadership workshop, a speaker went on stage and told him and his organization that they were there for them. He remembers the speaker asking him and his peers to take what they learned and teach it to someone else. Knippen said that this was what motivated him to do what he is doing.
“I want to pay it forward. I want to create a career around helping others figure out what moves, what motivates and what inspires them,” Knippen said.
He recommended the guests try anything, until they find something that insires them. “It won’t be easy, you may have to try many times, but find that one thing that motivates you.”
Colonel John M. Devillier was the next speaker, who told the audience that the one thing that they will need to be a successful leader is trust.
“Regardless if it’s in the boardroom, on the battlefield or in a classroom, trust is by far the most important factor in a leaderfollower relationship.”
Devillier told the audience that trust is built on the confidence in others, and that peoples actions can either make or break it. He said that leadership is both an inherited and a learned trait, characteristic and that everyone can have this within them.
“In the end, one person can make a difference be that difference,” Devillier said.
The final speaker for the event was the Mayor of Dayton, Ohio, Nan Whaley. Whaley said that she knew that she wanted to be leader since high school, and did so through school activites. Whaley used Harry Potter as an example of leadership showing trust, respect and listening, even if the person doesn’t always agree with the opinions.
“It’s important to show respect to others, no matter what your position is.” Whaley said that the audience needs to know where their core is, when to be a good follower and when to trust people.
“These are factors that will help you carve out fantastic lives for your fantastic futures.” Whaley said.