In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, leadership can feel like a heavy responsibility. But what if leadership wasn’t just about commanding others, but about growing from within?
This week, mentors Mike and Tina led students on a journey of positive leadership and attitude transformation. Through personal experience, thoughtful teaching, and reflective guidance, they helped students explore not only how to lead others, but how to lead themselves.
Their message was clear: Your leadership style matters. Your mindset shapes your future. And change starts with one small step.
Understanding Yourself First: Monday’s Lesson on Positive Leadership
Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all role. On Monday, students explored different leadership styles with Mike and Tina—identifying their strengths, their weaknesses, and the ripple effect each style can have on others.
Instead of promoting a “perfect” way to lead, Mike and Tina invited students to reflect: What’s good about my style? What needs work? How do I grow into the kind of leader people trust and follow?
By focusing on self-awareness, students began to see that leadership starts with owning who you are—and committing to who you want to become.
“The answer to the solution is inside you. Increasing your confidence means increasing your skills.”
Leadership, they reminded us, isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, learning, and leading with humility and purpose.
Attitude in Action: How to Stay Positive Through Stress
Later in the week, the conversation turned to attitude—especially during hard times.
Mike and Tina know life doesn’t always go according to plan. That’s why they taught students how to overcome stress, setbacks, and emotional overwhelm by returning to simple, powerful truths.
“If you’re having a bad moment, change the environment where you are.”
It’s not about ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. It’s about shifting your perspective, choosing gratitude, and taking control of what you can change—your focus, your actions, your response.
The challenge they gave students was simple and powerful: Improve one thing each day. Learn one thing at a time. That’s how real transformation happens.
Meet the Mentors: Tina and Mike
Tina is from Portland, Oregon. A graduate of BYU with a major in psychology and a minor in business management, she brings insight into how people think, grow, and connect. Whether she’s teaching leadership or cooking international cuisine, Tina leads with warmth, curiosity, and a deep belief in lifelong learning.
“Keep learning, because life is an education, and the great decisions you’re making now will benefit you in the future.”
Mike grew up between Seattle and Phoenix and later served a Spanish-speaking mission in Philadelphia. With a pre-med degree and a minor in Spanish, he brings precision and empathy to everything he does. He knows that serving others starts with understanding them—and that confidence is built one skill at a time.
“Mike—thank you for the work you’re doing and for allowing me to be part of this moment.”
Final Thoughts: Embrace Growth, Embrace Differences
As the week wrapped up, Mike and Tina left students with one final reminder:
“Be grateful for all the differences.”
Whether it’s differences in leadership style, personality, culture, or experience, these are not obstacles to unity, but the foundation of it. They make us stronger. They help us lead with greater compassion, purpose, and vision.
Start Your Journey of Positive Leadership
You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. You just need the willingness to reflect, the courage to grow, and the right mentors along the way.
Each semester, students like you join us not just to study, but to transform. To become leaders. To live with purpose. And to carry that mindset into every part of their lives.
So ask yourself:
- What kind of leader do I want to be?
- What one thing can I improve today?
- What attitude do I want to bring into the world?
The answers are inside you.
Join us. The journey to purpose-driven leadership starts now.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Photos by Julieta Ramirez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
