Reflections on the Legacy Leadership Conference
Matt Mach, Contributing Columnist
Are you pumped up and excited for life?! Over the weekend of January 27 & 28, 2006 at Johnson & Wales University in Denver multiple speakers from around the nation came to inspire students to leave a mark with lasting impact on the world around them. The Legacy Leadership Conference had 165 people from 12 different schools. Colorado, Wyoming, Georgia, Nebraska, and New Mexico were among the states of whom the students were from. About 80 percent of these students were Bacchus and Gamma peer educators. The diversity of the students and the insight from the speakers made for quite an experience.
Throughout many sessions of each day, each speaker had their own way to help you discover something more about yourself. By asking questions, evaluating common and dangerous behaviors, and exploring what we can do differently, all provided more ideas for becoming a better leader. Jud Laipply was one speaker that continually made many of us laugh and made us ask ourselves the reason for worrying as much as we do about the future. He constantly reminded us that life is change. We are always making decisions about our life and how we ought to live. Consistently, we gain more knowledge and reflect on it. These reflections create new awareness towards everything around us. "The only thing that does not change is change itself." I have always heard this from others, but Jud took it a step further considering how we could do it in a positive manner. Towards the end of the conference, he gave us all something to remember that change does exist everywhere. Through an amazing, must-see dance he put on, he related change to the plethora of music and dance styles of the past and today!
Wendi Fox was another impressive speaker who challenged us to "find that authentic little person" inside us. She made us realize how numerous problems within our lives could be solved by defining ourselves as a child again. Kids know how to have fun, love, and acknowledge the importance of being who they are. Children are never born racist or afraid of what others think of them. We, the society, place labels and force everyone into a similar system. It is extremely difficult to be different in a world that asks us to be the same. Wendi surprised us with her hilarious and honest stories that we could all learn from.
Joe Martin was another professor that probably had the most influence on me out of all the speakers. Dr. Martin grew up in one of the toughest ghettos in Miami and is now inspiring thousands across the country. Through his experiences, he reminds everyone in tough times to continue the road ahead and never stop trying. The energy and attitude he puts forth during his presentation enhances his message's meaning. I recall hearing others and myself mentioning afterwards how much we wanted to record every single word that came from his mouth. By the use of a metaphor, he explained how we could relate our duty as a person to be a leader with a handkerchief. Using his analogy, I could recognize exactly what he was asking of us. He also stressed the importance of calling on our selves to take up our niche in the community. Anyone can listen to the most motivating speaker in the world, but until we initiate the search for our own gift to the world and use it, we will not get anywhere.
I could not ask for much more over the weekend. We had activities that helped us meet new people and identify the pleasure of being a kid again. Every person had their own piece of the puzzle to contribute over the time we spent together. These speakers and many others provided us with something to continue to ponder. One comment that Dr. Martin brought up was the fact that everyone will have about 100 teachers throughout their life, but most will only remember 1 or 2. "Why is this?" Dr. Martin asked us. He began to reveal that most teachers do not leave an impact on students. While there were plenty of other teachers I had known for an entire year and can not recall their name, I realized that even though I had known these speakers for a very short time I would never forget them. Through the laughs, interpreting, and honest reflection of each message, we truly uncovered how to lead in order to leave a legacy!