School of Leadership Stories
At our annual School of Leadership retreat in August, we hosted 34 young leaders from across the UK and Europe to go on a journey into leadership – developing character, leadership skills and their relationship with Jesus.
Here are just a few of their stories.
‘Through the teaching and example set, I begun to see that authentic leadership is based on being the same person both on the stage and in the unseen. This requires vulnerability and the ability to admit weaknesses which creates trust. This is contrasted to my previous impression of leadership where I was always impressed by leaders and their examples felt unattainable. Instead, trust is created when you can see yourself in the those who are leading you.
‘I have learnt that leadership is about the everyday decisions and setting an example to those around me in my every day, leading primarily out of my character ahead of my gifts.’
Fin di Castiglione
‘I’ve always thought leading looked like having a role, well-defined or not, but something that almost gave you permission to lead. I also strived to lead in places, hoping, praying that through this, I will grow in my faith. Five days at the School of Leadership changed my perspective of leadership completely. Leadership isn’t about having a role, being asked to do something specific or getting involved in absolutely everything and then being thanked for stepping up to lead and help. Leadership is influence. Being in a position of leadership is being in a position of influence. I lead in my family, I lead in my house, I lead in my friendship groups, I lead in my seminar groups, I lead in the office, I lead at the back of church sat next to the quiet one… What I have learnt is that when God calls us to lead, he wants us to lead in our everyday lives, even when – and dare I say, especially when – we don’t have a leadership role or title.
‘We are to lead as vulnerable leaders, we are to lead from who we are and our values in life, and first and foremost, we are to lead out of our relationship with Christ, and that is what makes us good leaders.’
Esther Walton
‘The School of Leadership was incredible – it completely changed my outlook on leadership. It taught me that leadership is more than a title, it’s a lifestyle. God spoke to me through quite a few people, he reminded me that he loves who I am; I’m not second best, and that I don’t need to wait for a title to begin what he’s calling me to do.’
Charlie Brown
‘The School of Leadership was nothing short of spectacular for me. The teaching was enriching, and the team were so devoted to developing and growing us in our leadership skills... It was an amazing time, and it has given me the kickstart I needed to start this season well.’
Chris Osinaike
‘The School of Leadership helped me so much and I learned such a lot I’m still taking it in! At the end of the week, we were asked to share what we were going to take away from the week. I learnt that there’s something so beautiful about stepping out and trusting God with our fears. I knew I had a deep fear of speaking in front of people. I learnt that trusting God with this fear, and then stepping out and letting him work through me is one of the best and most beautiful ways to grow. I know that I won't become a skilled speaker overnight and I’m not saying I’m completely fearless with public speaking, but I think the important thing is that my heart has been changed.’
Raphi Fitzgerald
‘I am a “cradle Catholic”, and I have been part of a three-year faith formation program for young Catholics called “The Ascent”, through which myself and five others heard about Onelife’s School of Leadership program. As soon as we arrived, we were met with such a warm welcome with everyone cheering for us which made us feel at ease and welcomed. As we started to talk to people about the fact we were Catholics we were met with openness and willingness to listen. It was a completely eye-opening experience for us as Catholics to see that other denominations are more like us than we think. It brought an extra layer of unity between us all as we realised that we have so much more in common than we thought. We have all made friends for life and we will continue to grow in that friendship and also in knowledge from one another.’
Martha Legg
‘Having only ever heard teaching about God as Father and understood this at a head-knowledge level, the School of Leadership was the first time where I truly received a personal revelation and experience of God as a loving Father.’
Astrid Stirling
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