INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to purpose-driven brands and passionate business leaders and entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities and industries.
Tricia Halsey is Co-Founder & Executive Director of Big Idea Project. Follow her on LinkedIn and learn more about Big Idea Project on Twitter and Facebook and at www.bigideaproject.org.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
The Big Idea Project is a service learning project implemented by high school teachers as a semester-long hands on experience. Students get into teams of 3-4, identify a social need they care about, pair up with business mentors to find real solutions, build an action plan, and then PUT THEIR PLAN INTO ACTION. We are a results contest, not a pitch contest. Students then create storytelling videos that chronicle their results and present these on stage for the chance to win a college scholarship. Winners from each school move on to the State competition.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
Our nation is experiencing a crisis of leadership. Big Idea Project is changing this by raising up a generation of young adults who lead differently. We are a service learning experience that high school teachers implement in classes that challenges students to lead real community change. The result? Proven and confident Generous Leaders.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
Every teacher reaches about 25 students who impact about 300 people in the community. This year 500 students participated for an overall reach of 6,000. Next year we will be at 800 students and nearly 10,000 people impacted. Students grow in empathy, entrepreneurial confidence and professional skills that employers are desperately seeking from prospective candidates. Teachers become better resources and equipped to teach service learning that builds leaders. And businesses that are sponsors come along schools for increased employee engagement as well as developing their future leadership pipeline. The classroom, companies and community thrive. All learn and practice generous leadership® and therefore become better people who do better work for the sake of making the world a better place.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
The statistics show that our youngest generation is experiencing all time high levels of narcissism and apathy. Social scientists have even called the predominant characteristic of Generation Z “self-loathing narcissism.” And yet, we know this generation has the potential to do more good than any generation before them. They are smart, creative and ready to work when they are given the RIGHT opportunities. When we see a student’s worldview shift from one of self to selfless, from me to you, from “That’s not my problem.” to “I met the person behind the issues, I care, and I can help,” then we are encouraged to keep moving on. Personally, I’m driven by my faith in God and my belief that everyone was created to be and do so much more.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE?
We are two years old as a 501(c)3. The challenge has been meeting demand of growth while finding the funding that will allow us to grow. I’ve given countless hours without pay, just like most entrepreneurs. Staying focused and true to our course has been a challenge. On a micro level, every day I try to challenge myself to do something outside of my comfort zone. I’ve faced many fears in two years and believe I’m better for it. I embrace challenge and believe wholeheartedly that challenge makes people better people.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Don’t force your idea. Talk about it, get a lot of advice and build your support network. If it’s meant to take off, it will. And listen to your gut. If it doesn’t feel right to “force” something (whether it’s a decision, hire or new sale) then don’t do it. Period. If you do, it will blow up on you. Listen to your intuition. It’s powerful. And keep your eyes up, looking to the future and focused on the good you are doing. As soon as you fall into the mire, your passion will get swallowed.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
We need people to talk about Big Idea Project, attend our school competitions and get engaged at a local level. We need introductions to innovative schools, administrators and teachers. We need more local businesses who want to engage their local community through the schools to become School Sponsors and make a real tangible difference for education and our future leaders. And we need people to show that they are excited and 100% behind us by trusting us with their financial gifts. We cannot grow nationally and fulfill our mission to change the leadership landscape of our nation without lots of help: time, talent and resources. Donate at www.bigideaproject.org/donate.