Relationships
About
The Leadership by Design (LBD) program is dedicated to forging vibrant communities — among students, parents, volunteers, and a broader network of mutually supportive Black individuals and allies. At the heart of this mission lies a belief in the transformative power of relationships. Each student, parent, and volunteer brings unique lived experiences, often shaped by moments of marginalization. Within a caring, interconnected community, these experiences can be met with empathy and support, counteracting the effects of exclusion and fostering resilience.
Relationships are the lifeblood of community. When students are enveloped in an environment that values connection, they are more likely to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. The LBD program recognizes that personal growth blossoms in spaces where relationships are nurtured and every member is encouraged to contribute to a collective sense of belonging.
In the LBD community, students discover peers who are proud, ambitious, respectful, and mutually encouraging. Through intentional programming, students are invited not only to learn and practise skills that sustain the community, but also to make every member feel valued and included. The explicit commitment to cultivating healthy relationships is essential — not only for building a strong community, but also for developing effective leaders.
The LBD program prioritizes both community and relationships, understanding that powerful external forces can hinder connection. Researchers have found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased youth loneliness and isolation, while growing social media use can paradoxically weaken social and relationship skills. Racial and socio-economic biases further challenge the development of inclusive communities. The LBD response is clear: by providing a platform for youth to gather and build respectful relationships, the program lays the groundwork for personal and collective success.
Relationships are more than just a social skill — they are the cornerstone of leadership. Leaders must be adept at forging meaningful connections to motivate and mobilize others toward shared goals. Teams cannot thrive if relationships are fraught; empathy cannot take root without authentic relational bonds. Serving the community means actively building relationships with its members, anchored in respect and understanding.
Taking all this research into account, the LBD program is intentional in creating conditions where a healthy, supportive community can thrive. Here are strategies the LBD employs:
- Facilitating in-person gatherings: LBD provides frequent opportunities for students to connect face-to-face, recognizing that meaningful collaboration and friendship are built through shared experiences.
- Structuring interactive meetings: Student sessions are designed around small group discussions and team activities, encouraging deeper interaction and mutual support.
- Offering social skill-building events: Banquets, conferences, residential camps, theatre outings, and small-group workshops all serve to develop students’ social abilities and strengthen community bonds.
- Teaching networking skills: Through dedicated workshops, students learn the art of building and maintaining supportive professional and personal networks.
- Promoting respect and inclusion: LBD encourages regard for diversity in people and perspectives, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
- Providing mentorship rooted in relationships: Mentorship within LBD is based on fostering genuine social connections, guiding students through challenges and celebrating their successes.
- Instilling respect as a core value: Students are reminded that respect for others is foundational to any community and should be central to their own value systems.
- Celebrating mutual support: The program inspires students to support one another’s ambitions and achievements, creating a culture of encouragement and shared growth.
- Prioritizing face-to-face interactions: LBD urges students to put aside their phones and engage in meaningful conversations.
Students, parents, and volunteers who join LBD do so with a shared responsibility: to contribute actively to building and sustaining the community. LBD promotes the spirit of ubuntu — the African philosophy which was often referenced by Nobel Peace Prize laureate the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu — and which conveys interdependence with the following words: “I am because of you.”
Student Voice — Laila R., Cohort 2022 (Grade 12)
Reflections on Leadership
“I participated in really awesome initiatives such as the CIBC Hackathon where a team of us in the Cohort 22 competed with our peers in a design thinking competition. I was really excited to hear everyone’s ideas and worked with my team to develop an app that supported youth academic engagement.”
(Edited for privacy)
