What High School Students Can Teach Us About Dreams, Resilience, and Growth

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the ideas behind Unfolded are shared with a room full of high school seniors?In this episode, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring reflect on a recent opportunity to work with students in Minneapolis and explore how concepts such as dreams, mountain-and-valley folds, personal growth, and self-awareness resonated with a younger generation.Along the way, they discovered that many of the challenges, hopes, and questions students face are not so different from those adults continue to wrestle with throughout their lives. This conversation offers a reminder that our experiences shape us, but they do not define us—and that growth remains possible at every stage of life.In this episode:Why dreams matter—even when they aren't fully formed yet.The surprising difference between how students and adults interacted with the origami cranes from Unfolded.Understanding "mountain folds" and "valley folds" and how life experiences shape who we become.The power of vulnerability and self-awareness in young people.What today's leaders can learn from the next generation.Why mentorship, encouragement, and investing in students matters more than ever.Key Takeaways✅ Everyone has dreams—even when they can't fully articulate them yet.✅ The experiences that shape us become part of our story, but they don't determine our future.✅ Vulnerability can be a source of strength.✅ Young people often have remarkable insight into their own growth and challenges.✅ Leaders of every age benefit from staying curious, hopeful, and open to learning.Memorable Quotes"People have dreams. They may be reluctant to share them or excited to share them, but either way, people have dreams.""There are things about their young life that they'll never be able to change, but they do get a chance to work with it and make a dream a reality.""Their past doesn't define them, but their experience stays with them and has shaped who they're becoming."Resources MentionedUnfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane by Dr. Linda and Brian SchubringLeadership Vision ConsultingSupport the show-Read the full blog post here!CONTACT USemail: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUTThe Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.