Courageous approach to inspire young leaders

30 Jun 2021

Hundreds of Christchurch’s emerging leaders have gathered at College for a one-day leadership conference for Year 12 students.

Despite the driving rain and freezing conditions, about 450 young people have joined together to learn about leadership from a range of inspiring speakers.

Under the theme “Courage is the key to great leadership”, students from 28 schools across Canterbury have welcomed the chance to again listen and learn following the Covid-19-enforced cancellation of the popular Emerging Leaders event last year.

In his keynote speech on Tuesday, entrepreneur and inventor Logan Williams, 25, urged students to “be courageous” and not get “stuck down a career path”.

“To think outside the box and do something different, you have to be courageous,” he told a packed College Assembly Hall. “Life is full of opportunities, you just have to take them.”

Students also took part in a range of workshops across College, including a session on different ways of looking at leadership – presented by University of Canterbury Associate Professor Billy Osteen; leadership in stressful situations – led by emergency medicine specialist Dr Minette Monteith; and leadership in overcoming adversity – presented by Dan Sharples, who “reclaimed” his life after fighting cancer.

The other workshops covered self-leadership, positive wellbeing, creative leadership, servant leadership and functional leadership – to name just a few.

Blackcap Todd Astle wrapped up the College-organised day with an inspiring presentation about the courageous actions required to navigate the twists and turns of life.