Helen Lami, the CEO of Academic Summer, recently delivered an inspiring talk on leadership to a group of 40 enthusiastic learners at the prestigious David Game College in London. As part of the ‘Be a Leader’ programme, her PowerPoint presentation aimed to enlighten young minds about the essential qualities of ongoing personal development and the effective management of a team.

Academic Summer, known for its innovative summer schools in London and elsewhere in the UK, provides an excellent opportunity for international students (7-17) to improve their English language skills while engaging in subjects that pique their interest, using the CLIL method. Helen’s talk was a highlight of the two-week camp, offering helpful insights into the nature of leadership to students from Germany, Russia, Lithuania etc.

Key qualities of leadership

Helen began her talk by outlining key qualities she considers important for effective leadership: service, humility, integrity, innovation and vision. To illustrate these qualities she referenced three leaders she admired, each embodying different management styles and who she felt she shared a common connection with for one reason or another.

 

• Mother Teresa: Known for her unwavering service and humility, Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick in India. Her leadership was marked by a deep sense of compassion and a selfless commitment to serving others. Helen pointed out that Mother Teresa was from Albania, where Helen’s husband Turi is from. Helen spent several years as a missionary in Albania and can speak fluent Albanian. She also believes in supporting charitable causes like Theirworld.
  
  Elon Musk: Representing innovation and vision, Elon Musk is renowned for his groundbreaking ideas and ventures, such as SpaceX, Tesla and Starlink. His ability to turn bold ideas into reality showcases the power of visionary leadership. Helen aspires to be a leader who envisions others, while doing her bit for the environment by driving a Tesla! Plus, the Internet connection at her home in the English countryside is not that great so she appreciates the speed Starlink provides via satellite.
   
• Queen Elizabeth II: The late Queen was a symbol of stability and dedication throughout her 70-year reign. Her leadership was characterised by a lifelong commitment to serving her country and maintaining the dignity of the monarchy. Helen is a great admirer of the British royal family and loves to provide tours for international students attending summer camps in London to see the palaces and other royal landmarks. A trailblazer in her field, she has also been affectionately referred to as ‘the Queen of British Summer schools’ and is known for her trademark Mulberry handbags.

 

Helen also shared her personal journey as a leader, how she left school at 16, but was still able to buy at house at 18. How she returned to academia to gain a Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) qualification and later a Master’s Degree in Education. She also worked for a top boarding school for 10 years in their international marketing department before starting Academic Summer in 2008.

Drawing from her own experience and the success of Academic Summer over 16 years, Helen emphasises that every individual is unique, and leadership is not confined to a specific mold. Her story serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can develop the qualities necessary to be a leader.

Advice for young, emerging leaders

“Things don’t just fall into place in life. Success requires hard work and self-awareness. You need to fight for what you want and work diligently to reach your goals,” Helen maintains. “Planning ahead is crucial. Consider university not just for a degree, but as a step towards a good job, joining your family business, or starting your own,” she said.

Helen’s talk delved into the practical aspects of leadership, urging the learners to reflect on the three leaders discussed and the qualities they exhibit.

“Sometimes, you need to prove yourself, to show that you are unique and capable of doing something special. It’s not always about money; it’s about the fulfillment of building a successful business. Since you will spend a significant portion of your life working, make sure you enjoy what you do. There’s no point in pursuing a career you don’t love. Most of your waking hours will be spent working, so it better be something that excites you!”

Integrity emerged as a recurring theme of Helen’s talk as leaders who lack integrity cannot inspire trust or loyalty, making it impossible to lead effectively. She also posed thought-provoking questions to the audience, challenging them to make their own way in life.

“Don’t feel pressured to follow somebody else’s career path. I’ve seen many parents who want their child to become a doctor, even if their son or daughter has no interest in studying medicine. You must choose a path that’s right for you. This is why we provide a career test at Academic Summer that will provide insights into your strengths and help you see yourself clearly.”

How else can young people learn to be a leader? “Gain experience and seek opportunities that make you stand out. Engage in activities that make a difference, like charity work. Aim for global experience, work and travel internationally and build your network. Many of our summer students stay in touch even after 10 years, finding great jobs and maintaining connections with peers they met at Academic Summer.

“Be open to try new things and focus on building your personal brand. This is crucial. Think about your online presence and how you are perceived. Thought leaders write articles and continuously develop their skills. This is the future, and it’s an exciting one. Embrace it and evolve with it.”

Speaking about artificial intelligence, Helen commented., “AI is the future and I think we’re just at the beginning. We can see the start of it, but it’s going to be huge, ultimately taking over many jobs. So young people need to be strong and resourceful. What can you bring to the table that a computer can’t? So it’s really important to upskill, be creative, provide the human touch, the flexibility, ethical problem solving, critical thinking and emotional intelligence that make us unique as people. All that makes us stand out in our own way!”

Be a Leader CPD qualification

The ‘Be a Leader’ programme is woven throughout the Academic Summer camp experience and is designed to help learners prepare for their future studies and career pathways. It includes lectures by inspirational leaders, daily skills introduced in morning assemblies, access to ‘My Future Choice’ aptitude and career tests and fun team-building challenges. All these activities lead to a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited qualification, providing a comprehensive framework for developing leadership skills.

Academic Summer’s Be a Leader programme is a testament to the organisation’s commitment to nurturing future leaders. By providing an enriching environment where young people can improve their English language skills while exploring subjects they are passionate about, our London summer schools play a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

2024/09/15