The leader of tomorrow: It starts with a little girl and a thin mint (and us all)
You're invited to Leadership Outside the Box
Think back. Way back. Where did you first learn about leadership? Was it the unwavering hand of a parent? The inspiring words of a teacher? Maybe the bold moves of a CEO splashed across the news, or the quiet strength of a community organizer? Whether you're steering a global corporation, launching your own venture, guiding a team, or simply navigating your day-to-day, the seeds of leadership were likely planted long ago, nurtured by the examples – good and bad – around you.
I, for one, am utterly captivated by this ever-evolving concept of leadership. Especially now, as we hurtle into a future demanding agility, empathy, and a whole new toolkit of skills. We talk about the crucial vision that charts the course, the adaptability that keeps us afloat in choppy waters, the relentless curiosity that fuels innovation, and that all-important human-centered approach, powered by emotional intelligence and unwavering integrity.
This very week has gifted us with fresh faces in leadership and celebrated those who already shine. The election of Pope Leo, the first American to hold the position, a man with roots in Chicago and a life spent bridging cultures, certainly sparks conversation about tradition and change. It brought back memories of my own early experiences with leadership, albeit on a much smaller scale, as a young altar girl (yes, at a forward thinking parish), learning the rituals and the quiet responsibility of service. But it was a much smaller figure who truly snagged my attention this week: seven-year-old Elisabeth.
I found myself next to her at a Girl Scout luncheon honoring Inspiring Women of Iowa. This diminutive Latina powerhouse seemed almost swallowed by the adult-sized table, yet she had earned her place by selling an astounding number of Girl Scout cookies. Picture her in her Brownie uniform, black hair in pig tails and wrists adorned with sparkly bracelets. As the luncheon began, I noticed her mirroring me – the placement of my napkin, the way I held my fork and picked up my water glass. After seeking non-verbal permission in the form of a nod from her mother, she indulged in pure, unadulterated joy, diving into her dessert – little pudding cups topped with precious Girl Scout cookies – before even touching her entree.
In that simple moment, watching her quiet observation and her small act of delicious rebellion, I was struck by something profound. Leadership, in its purest form, isn't just about grand pronouncements or strategic master plans. It's about the subtle influence we wield, the examples we set, even when we don't realize we're being watched. Elisabeth, in her innocent imitation, reminded me that leadership begins with observation, with learning from those around us, big or small.
The Girl Scouts' announcement of bilingual troops and their focus on building confidence and life skills resonated deeply. Here were young girls, learning collaboration, service, and yes, even the art of sales – foundational elements of leadership in any arena. And when I asked Elisabeth her top-selling cookie, her shy reply, "Thin Mints are everyone’s favorite," spoke volumes about understanding your audience.
Even the tributes pouring in during Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated May 7-9, echoed this sentiment of how leaders are formed from an early age. In national news coverage, lawmakers, now in positions of significant influence, credited their former educators with shaping their paths. In an AP story, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s heartfelt words about his wife, mother-in-law, and classroom teachers highlighted the profound impact of those who guide and inspire us early on. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, told ABC News that it was her high school music teacher who recognized her talents.
So, who has inspired you on your leadership journey? And as we gaze into the future, what qualities – vision, agility, empathy, and a new toolkit of skills – do you believe will define the leaders who will shape it? Perhaps it's Pope Leo's journey from Chicago to the Vatican, embodying a bridge between tradition and change. Or the Girl Scouts, fostering collaboration and essential life skills in young girls like Elisabeth. Maybe it will continue to be teachers and mentors, those early guides who shape future lawmakers and leaders in countless fields.
And within this ever-present landscape, each of us participates, both in how we follow and in the subtle ways we influence others, even in the simple act of a seven-year-old observing her surroundings and then choosing dessert first.
That quiet observation, that confident choice? That's a leader in the making. And that little girl? She’s one smart cookie.
An invitation…
What if leadership wasn't just about titles and hierarchies? Leadership Outside the Box dares to explore the next wave, fostering out-of-the-box, future-focused thinking for leaders at every level.
I invite you to join me on this journey exploring the multifaceted world of leadership. Whether you're just starting out, stepping into your first big leadership role, guiding a team, or already at the top, stewarding a legacy or even stepping out to explore new adventures, this is your space to think differently, lead intentionally, and write your next chapter with clarity and purpose.
Through columns, interviews, poems, videos, and real-time observations with leaders and about leaders, I hope to spark insight, challenge assumptions and support your growth. Each edition Leadership Outside the Box explores the art and science of leadership, blending analytical thinking with creativity to drive meaningful, future-ready impact.
Leadership Outside the Box is written my me, Suzanna de Baca – CEO, board director, executive coach, university faculty, writer, and internationally published poet. I combine decades of experience leading complex organizations and blending strategic insight with the power of storytelling and creativity, all with the goal of helping develop leaders who can make a difference in the world (including YOU).
I have so many examples of excellent leadership in my life, especially amongst educators.
When I began my senior year of high school, I knew not a single soul. I was the “new kid” - not just new to the school, but new to town, to traditions, and to friend groups that had been years in the making. My father had started a new job that summer and we relocated to Clinton, Iowa - to a school three times the size of my former institution – where I knew no one. I was terrified, but also excited. New can be incredibly hard, but new is also the door to possibility.
Despite only being there for one year, that place - that school—changed my life.
Thanks to my perfect GPA and a connection between my former principal Mr. Lowe and the CHS principal Mr. Howe, they rolled out the welcome mat for me.
I will never forget the first day I met with my guidance counselor, Mrs. Ullrich, at CHS. She handed me a thick folder full of college scholarship applications she had determined I was eligible for. Because I was a straight-A student, she probably assumed I was college-bound and never questioned any other path for me. In hindsight, that one assumption changed the trajectory of my future.
I had contemplated college, but wasn’t really sure how to make it happen. No one in my family had graduated from college. But Clinton High School and Mrs. Ullrich helped me navigate that journey with ease and confidence.
Sometimes, all it takes is one person seeing something in you you haven’t yet seen in yourself.
My inspiration came from my maternal grandfather. He was blinded while playing in the midst of a stop during the India-Pakistan partition. Not one to become dependent he sought independence by learning to work by touch and started weaving rattan chairs. During downtime he'd do another touch-based job- pouring candles. He expanded it by hiring other blind people and taught them to do this work and live independently.
He never boasted about his independence or keep his employees from leaving to do their own thing - unsurprisingly, none ever leave. Leadership can be kind, quiet, persistent, and humble.
He lived independently to his dying day.