RIVERTON
Some students at W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School in Riverton got a lesson on leadership from an expert on Monday.
Ferguson is a certified speaker, coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, a global organization which, as part of its mission, aims to develop leaders. Ferguson joined the team several years ago initially because he had an interest in learning how to improve at public speaking. Since then he’s seen it turn into a side business and he now offers leadership training and advice in various parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Through the Maxwell team’s Global Youth Initiative, Ferguson was recently encouraged to reach out and offer free leadership training for youth. Right away he thought about his daughter’s school in Riverton and talked with the staff there about the possibility, which they quickly accepted.
Leadership, as Ferguson teaches it, isn’t about standing in the front of an office or at the top of the ladder and barking out orders.
“It’s all about adding value to people, influencing people and really reflecting on yourself and finding your own strength,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson had the youth who took part in one of three sessions he was offering Monday play a game which had them engaging and asking questions. He said the goal was to have them answer questions they aren’t asked in a regular setting.
“A big part of it is to get them to reflect on questions to make them think and think about themselves and think about their environment.”
Ferguson said he hopes to return to the school and perhaps others in the area to hold similar sessions in the future.
