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Stephanie Davis

Stephanie started an illegal newspaper at her middle school called The Underground—which was printed on copy paper stapled together—thus beginning her foray into the world of publishing. She went on to be editor of her high school newspaper, worked at The Red and Black (UGA's esteemed newspaper)...

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Middle Schoolers love skirt!

I recently spent a half a day speaking to 14-year old peer leaders from Gwinnett County. The district gathered a large group of 8th graders to talk about leadership in their schools. I gave three breakout session discussions on “Leading with your Heart.” 

I found that these young women were going through the same issues I went through as a middle schooler...er, not to mention high schooler, college student and adult. They deal with body issues, relationship troubles, boy problems, pressure from friends to fit in or to follow the herd. Even parental pressure! (Which any young woman who doesn’t have the right job, or hasn’t been married or had kids soon enough for their parents can relate to.) After an hour or so of discussion, I finally broke it to them—sadly, those problems don’t ever go away.

But what can change over the years is how you tackle those issues. While I was thinking about what I would say about “Leading from the Heart,” I inadvertently retaught myself a few lessons. Niceness trickles down from the top. Fairness trickles down from the top. Professionalism trickles down from the top. If the leader of any organization behaves a certain way, the members or employees of an organization will usually follow suit.

When they told me about cliques and drug use in their schools, their solution was that you should just stay away from people  who make bad choices. At first I agreed, but then I realized that when you lose touch with someone or ostracize them, you lose influence over them too. And sometimes people heading down the wrong path just need a positive influence in their life. Don’t give up on people. If you’re going to lead with your heart, that has to be rule number 1. Or at least number 2.

As I wrapped up, I told them to stay skirt! girls at heart. Stay true. A truly unruly you.

Sure it was hokey, but hopefully inspirational. What life lesson would you tell a young girl these days?