America at 250: A Wake-Up Call for Leadership Development

As America approaches its 250th birthday, we've been reflecting on the leadership that built our nation and sustained it through two and a half centuries of challenge and change. From local communities to national institutions, America's progress has always depended on people who were willing to take initiative, serve others, and help navigate moments of uncertainty and opportunity.

As we celebrate these leaders for the impact they had on history, a critical question surfaces: Where—and how—did they learn to lead?

That question feels especially urgent today. As communities face increasingly complex challenges and institutions search for the next generation of problem-solvers, the need for capable leaders has never been greater. Leadership is not something people simply inherit or discover overnight. It grows through guidance, experience, and opportunity. If we want strong leaders tomorrow, we must be intentional about creating environments that help young people build the skills they need to lead today.

Across sectors, there is concern about whether we are preparing the next generation for success. Business leaders consistently report difficulty finding young people with the problem-solving, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills needed in today's workplace. A Gallup–Lumina Foundation survey found that only 11% of business leaders strongly agree that college graduates possess the competencies required for workplace success.

These concerns extend beyond the workforce. They point to a broader challenge facing our communities and democracy: developing the leadership capacity America will need in the decades ahead.

As we look toward America's next 250 years, the question is not simply who our future leaders will be, but where they will develop the skills and experiences needed to lead. For millions of young people, that journey begins in school. Schools are more than places of academic learning; they are where students build relationships with caring adults, gain access to opportunities, and develop the resilience, communication, and problem-solving skills that leadership requires. When schools intentionally create these experiences, they help students discover their potential and prepare them to contribute to their communities and our nation. Kevin's story illustrates what that journey of growth and leadership can look like.

Six years ago, Kevin, a ninth grader from Sarasota, Florida, doubted that leadership was for someone like him. His family was struggling financially, college felt distant, and he rarely spoke in class. After being paired with a mentor, Kevin began setting goals, practicing communication skills, and taking on leadership roles. Today, he is pursuing a degree at Hillsborough Community College, and outside of school, he mentors a younger peer and coaches youth soccer.

Stories like Kevin's remind us that the ability to make a difference is not reserved for a select few. Yet many young people never recognize their own potential.

"Many students don't see themselves as leaders because they associate leadership with authority or a title," said Tara Smith, CEO of Brilliant Pathways. "When they understand that leadership can take many forms, they begin to recognize their own potential."

Schools are tasked with preparing students for college and careers, so they focus heavily on academic achievement and standardized testing. These measures and, of course, academic knowledge matter, but if schools are truly preparing young people for the future, they must also help students develop the skills to turn knowledge into action.

As artificial intelligence increasingly performs routine tasks, human capabilities become more valuable. The challenges facing our communities, economy, and democracy require people who can solve problems and bring others together.

Too often, opportunities to develop and practice leadership skills are reserved for students who already stand out—the student council president, the team captain, or the valedictorian. Leadership potential exists in every school and every classroom, but leadership opportunities do not. The challenge is not identifying future leaders; it is creating opportunities for them to emerge.

For 35 years, we've seen that leadership development begins long before students enter the workforce. In schools, young people can learn to serve, contribute, and lead through mentoring, skill development, and exposure to college, careers, and community. The leadership they practice in school does not stay there. It travels with them—to college campuses, workplaces, and communities—where they continue to contribute and create positive change. These experiences reinforce a lesson that is often overlooked: leadership is not a position bestowed later in life but a capacity that can be cultivated early and strengthened over time.

To strengthen America's leadership pipeline, we must broaden our definition of educational success. Academic achievement matters, but so does helping students develop the skills and sense of purpose needed to lead.

When young people believe they can make a difference, they do. Schools can address this challenge by providing authentic leadership opportunities, making mentoring a central component of education, and helping students understand that leadership is ultimately about contributing to something larger than themselves. Leadership develops through experience, encouragement, and service.

These ideas—and the belief that America's future depends on developing leadership in every young person—form the foundation of our forthcoming book, America's Next Dream.

As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th birthday, let’s remember that our nation's future will be shaped not only by past leaders we honor, but by the leaders we are developing today.

The strength of our communities, economy, and democracy will depend on our ability to prepare young people to solve problems, bring people together, and tackle the challenges ahead. The people who will shape that future are sitting in classrooms today. If America's first 250 years were shaped by the leaders who answered history's call, the next 250 will be shaped by how well we prepare today's students to answer theirs.

Rick Dalton and Ray McNulty are co-authors of the forthcoming book America's Next Dream and leaders of Brilliant Pathways, a national nonprofit focused on helping young people achieve success in college, careers, and life.