Adela: Girls are leaders! Part 1.
LRT Graphics prides itself on connecting with community members who are in need of our services, whatever it may be. We were so happy to be able to connect as the graphic design and marketing sponsors for our friend Katie and her lovely daughter Adela, who just launched the new “Girls are Leaders” project. The project is a new and evolving group of women and girls coming together to “bring out the leader in every girl”. I was originally drawn to the project by the fact that I am female, a young professional and still trying to develop my own role as a “leader”. Naturally, I was intrigued. I had the pleasure of sitting in on the first meeting and I’ll tell you what – it was moving, inspiring, new, fresh and most importantly it’s an idea that is evolving. It is so rare to see something so raw, full of passion and emotion as moms, girls and leaders of the community come together to try to figure out how “Girls are Leaders” will grow and evolve. After this first meeting I decided it would be imperative to tap into the mind of Adela, the 9 year old Chief Executive Thinker of the group and get first hand insight on her and the group.
I had such a great time getting to interview Adela, she was such a pleasure. This interview was so incredible that we had to separate the blog into part 1 and part 2. Part 1 is the interview itself part 2 is our own perspective and insight on the interview.
Interview
- If you had one word to describe you, what would it be?
- Helpful because I like helping people. Because it makes me feel good. Sometimes I learn new things from helping people. It feels good and I’m proud of myself.
- What does being a leader mean to you?
- Being a good leader means that you’re helpful and you can be in charge and it’s a good time to get to know new people
- Do you think boys and girls lead differently?
- Girls and boys are different leaders. A girl leader is in charge and nice. Girls and women depend and support each other more as leaders. The girls are friendly; they are helpful when another one needs support. They won’t let each other down. From school it seems that boys are more likely to do it their way without input from each other, their way or the highway. Girl leaders ask for input from others. Boys have to be planned out without winging it. It’s like they practice without anyone else around. Girls are more nurturing then men, better at listening. Why are men bosses but girls are bossy?
- What makes you a leader?
- I’m helpful and nice to other people and really good at being in charge. I am my own leader, and I have also learned how to be a leader from my mom. I am a leader because most of the time I know what to do or someone in my group knows what to do and they lead and we alternate leading.
- Do you think being a girl makes you a stronger leader?
- Girls are stronger because they can really depend on other people; girls know how to make something memorable together. It isn’t a competition with each other.
- Do you think your mom helps make you a stronger leader or do you make her one? Or a little bit of both.
- A little bit of both. She has def made an impact on my life. I have learned that you have to be nice and in control and working with others, you can’t just do this all alone. You have to learn to get input from others. My mom knows how to discipline, that’s important for leadership. She does it firmly but not too hard, but not too gentile.
- Before your first meeting – how did you envision or see the girls are leaders group going? Where you nervous? How did it go?
- I really didn’t know what to expect and because of that it didn’t go the way she expected, since she had no expectations. For the first meeting I was nervous, didn’t know what to do. When we first set up I didn’t know what to expect, or how to react. You have to be fearful to be brave, behind every person that’s brave, there is some fear.
- What have other girls taught you?
- Anybody can make fun, and nobody is perfect, but we like to learn that everybody can make a difference.
- How do you encourage your friends to be leaders?
- We encourage each other by telling them that they can do it.
- What’s the most challenging thing for you as a young leader?
- Everybody has a different opinion of leadership. If everyone has a different definition of leadership how can we all be leaders? Even though we all have different opinions we all have the desire to work together and that’s what makes us leaders. Trying to find a common ground despite differences.
- When you have an idea, or a goal, how do you make it happen? Do you have a process?
- Hard work, continuously working hard. You have to make sure it’s right first then do hard work.
- Why do you think kids make such great leaders? What can adults learn from you?
- They’re going through different things at different times, they have different perspectives.
- What have you learned most since launching girls are leaders?
- Everybody can be a leader, even if they’re different. It’s not about how old you are, it’s about what you have in your head and your heart.
- When you’re an adult, do you think you’ll be a leader?
- Yes, this has made a huge impact on my life.
- You are a big sister, what has that taught you?
- Everyone is independent in their own way. A big sister has made me a better leader because I get to be in charge of her without disciplining her too hard. Having a sister has made me a more patient person and being able to help her out.
- Girls are leaders has had some great feedback and the word has spread quickly. How did you get others involved and what was their reaction?
- I showed my teacher Ms Ross. Everyone just wants to know when is it going to be, where is it going to be, and how much does it cost. Katie also mentioned that was the reaction she got from people also
- Who are your biggest role models?
- Mom and Dad, Rodney and dads gf. Also my best friends and the adults. Having the right adults around you can make you a big leader.
- What happens when girls don’t have the right role models?
- They end up doing different things and sometimes the wrong things. Like not listening to rules and stuff like that.
- How do you feel about being considered a leader?
- Being a future leader is nervous but exciting at the same time. Its scary because of your input and opinion, people look at you a different way. Being a leader changes how you behave because you have to be willing and helpful. You have to decide what you want and look at other people’s needs. When people are sick and you’re completely well, you can help them. When someone is sad and you’re not you can help them feel better. It’s important to consider people’s feelings when you’re a leader. It’s a sign of growing up to be a leader.
- Do you think a strong support system is important to being a good leader?
- Confidence and bravery helps solve problems. Trusting yourself, which is confidence. I have a strong support system from family and friends. It’s important to have friends in order to be a leader. When you have friends you have different perspectives. You have someone who can lead and someone who can support you. Being a leader means not being a leader all the time, sometimes someone else is a leader.
- If you could say any last minute final words to me, what would they be?
- Girls are leaders is an awesome program. We’re not teaching girls to be leaders, we’re bringing out the leaders in everyone.
Whether you’re a mom, daughter, sister or someone’s mister we highly encourage you to get involved with the “Girls are leaders” project. This is a constantly evolving and new project that changes day by day. It is more than merely a group about girls being leaders but more so how to support girls as leaders, how they depend on thrive with other leaders, both men and women, but how to make them thrive as future women. Stay tuned for Part 2. on Girls are Leaders to hear about what I learned from this interview with Adela.
LRT Graphics is a full service marketing and graphic design company that prides itself on supporting local community groups and non-profit organizations. It is our pleasure to hop on board and help with the graphic design and printing of decals for this project. We can’t wait to see how this group soars in the community.