UK Youth Parliament: future leaders

I spent some of my Saturday afternoon at the House of Commons delivering a training workshop of public speaking to members of the National Youth Parliament UK.

About 16 individuals from around the UK were preparing for their big day on the 29th October when they will be given the prestigious House of Commons debating chamber to discuss issues such as war, poverty, transport and the environment.

My role was to impart my knowledge about what makes a good public speaker, which puts a bit of added pressure on you because you’re aware that you are being judged,  not only on what you say, but how you say it.

I’m sure one or two of the students would have wondered during my presentation, why him, he doesn’t ooze confidence? . But just when I thought the session had not been all together productive it burst into life when we engaged in a conversation.

I asked the group did they want to become politicians, and if so why? Most did, with answers ranging from wanting to make a difference, to wanting to ensure we have politicians with integrity.

I thought I’d be provocative and suggested to the group that there were many ways in which they could make a difference, why only look at being a politician. One honest young man stated, ‘ the job also brings prestige’.

I don’t think he was alone in that view point. But it gave us a platform to explore and challenge their real motives.

Was it about them or what they could do for others? How much would the political parties crush their idealism, particularly when promotion becomes a factor? And why not, I pondered choose other areas of influence – unions, lobbying, business, journalism - if changing society was their goal?

In the end I thought confronting and wrestling with these dynamics would make them far better public speakers than me giving them tips about whether or not they should look at their notes.

I’m convinced that by exploring the integrity of leadership it will help them become good public speakers and even better future leaders.

By Simon Woolley