When Bad Behavior is a Leadership Test for Teens and Adults

What happens when we call teens “leaders”—especially those previously labeled as “troublemakers”? In this thought-provoking video, Lorraine Connell, founder of Peers Not Fears, explores how traditional leadership programs can unintentionally alienate the very teens they aim to empower.​

These teens have learned to expect rejection. When invited into leadership roles, their instinct may be to test boundaries—not out of defiance, but as a means to see if this new label truly fits. Lorraine challenges us to reconsider our reactions and to create spaces where pushing boundaries is met with understanding, not resistance.​

Key Takeaways:

• Redefining leadership as a responsibility, not a reward

• Understanding resistance as a form of trust-testing

• Creating environments that support growth through discomfort

• Emphasizing the role of adults in modeling flexibility and reflection​

Leadership development is a two-way street. By shifting our perspectives and responses, we can foster genuine growth and transformation in our teens—and in ourselves.​

Connect with Peers Not Fears:

• Website: www.peers-not-fears.com

• Instagram: @peersnotfears

• Facebook: Peers Not Fears​

Join the conversation and discover how to support the next generation of leaders with empathy and resilience.