1. The Role of Confidence in Leadership
Confidence is a key trait of successful leaders. It builds trust within teams, speeds up decision-making, and helps to identify golden opportunities.
Leah and Simon Fagg understand the significance of confidence and other leadership skills. As experienced mentors, they shared their passion for these qualities with our students.
In our Leadership course, the Faggs brought their expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom. Inside the learning environment, mentors and students formed a creative connection, uplifting each other to expand their leadership potential.
Through their interactions, students gained a fresh perspective on themselves and their leadership abilities.
2. Essential Leadership Traits
Leadership involves multiple traits, all of which are interwoven to help leaders reach their full potential. While every leader brings their unique voice and personality, there are a few core characteristics they tend to share:
- Respect
- Humility
- Self-awareness
A common misconception is that leaders are born, not made. While leadership qualities may seem natural, they can be learned. Developing these key traits is a vital part of leadership training.
Leah and Simon focused on hands-on activities in class, ensuring that each student engaged with the various leadership traits. Their discussions centered around how to improve these qualities and apply them in everyday leadership situations.
3. Confidence Through Influence and Learning Agility
A confident leader has the ability to inspire others to take action. They set a clear vision, helping others see their role in achieving that vision.
One interesting concept Leah and Simon explored was Learning Agility. This skill is gaining attention as the world around us continues to evolve. In simple terms, learning agility means the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new challenges.
Having this skill can significantly boost a leader’s confidence. By continuously developing new skills and staying ahead of emerging trends, leaders build trust with their teams.
Leah and Simon encouraged students to practice learning agility by actively listening to their peers, engaging in discussions, and providing feedback.
These seemingly small actions had a profound impact on students, enhancing their communication and influence skills, which are essential components of leadership.
4. Hands-On Learning: Gaining Confidence Through Practice
Simon and Leah understand that practice is crucial to building confidence. As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” They emphasize that growth occurs only through consistent practice—there are no shortcuts.
At Cumorah Academy, students gain practical experience by engaging in real-world leadership activities. These exercises allow them to put what they learn into action and build confidence through practice.
Some of the key takeaways include:
- Attentiveness to others’ needs
- Offering guidance and support
- Engaging actively in leadership exercises
Seeing students develop and interact during class is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the program. It’s rewarding to witness our vision come to life as students gain the confidence they need to succeed.
Unfortunately, many young students struggle with a lack of confidence. Despite being ambitious, this limiting belief holds them back from pursuing their dreams. Through real-world leadership exercises, they begin to overcome this challenge and boost their self-confidence.
5. Encouraging Words from the Mentors
We asked Leah and Simon what advice they would give to their younger selves. Their responses were both insightful and inspiring:
- Leah: “I wish I had been more confident in my abilities. I often stayed in the background, but stepping up feels great. I wish I had that confidence years ago.”
- Simon: “I wish I had become a qualified coach earlier in my career. Earning my certification gave me a stronger belief in myself. It helped me feel more settled mentally—I wish I had done it 20 years ago instead of just 6.”
Their personal experiences highlight the importance of self-confidence and how it can shape a leader’s path. Now, as mentors at Cumorah Academy, they are giving back and helping students avoid the challenges they faced in their youth.
Teaching is a noble profession that can transform generations. We’ve all had remarkable teachers, and the Faggs are no exception. They mentor at Cumorah Academy to pass on the lessons they wish they had received during their own young adult years.
Confidence Grows Through Action
Are you ready to take the next step? At Cumorah Academy, you’ll gain hands-on leadership experience, learn from incredible mentors, and build the skills to make a lasting impact.
Spots are limited, so don’t miss out! Apply today and start your journey towards becoming the confident leader you were meant to be.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira
Photos by Felipe Carrillo
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
