The Leader In Me
By now, most people have heard through the news that Pennsylvania 12-year-old Bailey O’Neill died of injuries believed to be the result of physical bullying. He tried to walk away but found himself being attacked and his head slammed to the ground. He passed away days later. A day after his 12th birthday, his parents […]
Bullying: Overreacting vs. Under Reacting
I’ve been trying not to share all the brutal bullying stories or at least, not to make it the focus of this blog because I don’t think it goes anywhere. Solutions, including encouraging leadership skills, is my main interest. That being said, I had to share this story of the 13-year-old who was getting beaten […]
A Love Letter to Myself
What does prevention mean in the bullying world? Is it that we try to stop people from being mean to each other or is it that we help shield children and adults from the pain it causes. It’s a trick question. I think it’s both. I was in a situation recently that made me think […]
One Can Count
Watch NYOne! New Elementary School Leadership Program Launches. One Can Count! Last Friday was a good day, thanks to Senator Andrew Lanza and P.S. 5, a beautiful elementary school in Staten Island, New York. It was a day that we celebrated leadership with Kindergartners and Fifth Graders. These partners have been involved in the One […]
Leadership Can Be Giving Your Last Bucket of Sand or Singing A Song to Ease the Hurt
A few days after Sandy, I found this sign stapled to a poll on the beach in New Dorp, Staten Island. It reads, Thank you to the little girl who gave me her last bucket of sand from the beach to fill my sandbags on Sunday afternoon. From Melissa, Millbank Rd. Do some kids […]
The Storm: Ray and Maryann’s Story
Our House, Our Home from Jika González on Vimeo. I’m so happy Jika Gonzalez, the creator of this piece, came to Staten Island to use her talents to tell the story of the Egers. Nothing I can say can add to what she’s already captured. I asked her to tell her story and to share […]
Leadership. One tweet at a time.
Teen uses tweets to compliment his classmates A simple concept with a powerful result, especially since it’s teenage boys who are sticking up for others online. Courage comes in all ways. Sometimes it takes guts to be nice. It’s the coward who is involved in shaming. Kids need to be taught — and shown — […]
The Most Amazing Teacher. The Most Amazing Leadership.
Since this has gotten over a million views, I’m sure many of you have seen the story of this teacher. His ability to teach a lesson in physics seems fabulous but his teaching by example is off the charts. This is what leadership looks like so please share this with everyone you know. Leadership is […]
When a Company Takes Leadership Seriously
As we begin 2013 with hope, it’s ok to admit that the end of 2012 left the country, especially the Northeast, shaken. The destruction of Sandy and the horror of Newtown, left a wake of uncertainty, a feeling of powerlessness, and a craving for leadership. Sometimes, it’s individual heroes that emerge and other times it’s […]
Leadership and Friendship After Sandy: Tory’s Kindness
As we think about the good and the bad of 2012, I wanted to share the much needed rays of hope and the stories of leadership that even in the bleakest times, give us reason to keep believing that people are good. Why does someone who has no obligation to help others and who could […]
