I am Leon Jasqui from México City, I am 18 years old, and I went to IC in Dallas. I had an amazing time and it was an incredible experience! The Global Leadership Academy (GLA) even helped me give a Ted Talk on Technology (see below!). Earlier today I read a leadership-based article written by Sunnie Giles, posted on Harvard Business Review. I thought that it was great because it showed me the different factors that make a leader effective and how the different leaders throughout history were influential. I am trying to relate this to me, seeing the different strategies that these leaders used. The article stated that the moral compass of a person is one of the most fundamental things. To be influential is to be able to move from one person to mass amounts of people. Leadership has been used to create good actions, movements, etc. Leaders all over time and history have affected our daily lives. However, this has also led to having different ideas that could be considered wrong.

The other day, I was talking to a friend, Daniel Darwich, and I thought to myself: Why do people believe that they can't do it? Why do people think they can’t be leaders, change the world, or even have an impact on the environment? He responded very wisely with a quote from Pablo Picasso: “Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.” After that, I told him to send me this quote, which changed my way of thinking. Why can't I be a leader? Why should I take action to help the environmental crisis if I am 1 out of 7 Billion?

I hope that this can help you feel like you can accomplish whatever you want in this lifetime if you are willing to look at the problem, become a leader, and solve it.

“A leader is one that knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” —John C Maxwell 

This quote is for me a very true statement, because if you want to be a leader, you are not given the title but you are the one that has to earn it by setting the example for others. To be the person that sets the standard and makes people want to follow your ideas, not demanding them to follow them. I want to believe that I am a leader and I hope I can inspire you to become one.  

BBYO has become a great platform for me, and I have gained many leadership skills over these past two years within the organization. One thing that has helped me out is the GLA program. I applied 6 months earlier than IC and I got accepted. I was really happy that I got admitted and went right to work. GLA gave me my first experience as a public speaker. After that I feel confident and set a goal to be on the big stage next year at IC. I have learned a lot and want to thank Amand and Talia, the organizers of GLA. This can be your chance to improve your leadership skills and be a role model. I hope you can dream big and believe in yourself as they did in me!

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