There's a tendency to associate leadership with being loud and outspoken. If that’s not you, it’s easy to think, “Yeah, leadership isn’t my thing, I'm not a leader.” But leadership can also be quiet, supportive, thoughtful and working behind the scenes. When youths understand this, they realise don’t have to change who they are to become a leader.

This topic hits close to home because how we see leadership today affects how we show up in life later on. School is where we figure out our confidence, communication style, and how to work well with others. Discovering that leadership is about trust, teamwork, and small everyday actions makes it feel way less intimidating—and way more doable. Instead of waiting to be chosen, or feeling like we’re not ready, we can start recognising our leadership now.

At its core, let's never forget that leadership isn’t about standing out—it’s about showing up for others in a way that feels real to us.

Contributed by Pearlena Yeo for Break The Wheel.