These 10 tips help girls...

To flex their leadership muscles!

Your thoughts (55)

1. Speak Up in Class

Raise your hand, even when you’re not sure about the answer. Avoid editing what you want to say in your head, and try not to worry about being wrong. Speaking up isn’t about having the perfect answer. It gives you the experience of thinking on your feet, debating with others, and wrestling with an idea – all crucial skills that you’ll use in every area of your life.

2. Stop Apologizing Before You Speak

Girls often introduce opinions with apologies (“I’m not sure if this is right, but...”). Pay attention to the little ways you might be making yourself smaller when you speak up in class, like playing with your hair, saying you “kind of” think something, asking if what you just said “makes sense,” or speaking so softly that no one can hear you.

3. Challenge Yourself

When we worry about failure or criticism, we’re more likely to seek out experiences we know we can control. But playing it safe means you’ll never have the exhilaration of overcoming an obstacle and proving to yourself (and others) that you’re brave enough to try. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Take up a sport you’ve never played. Enroll in a class that no one would expect you to take. Learn how to code. Or take a small risk, like introducing yourself to someone you don’t know.

4. Ask for Help

The most successful people don’t make it on their own. Instead, they find advisors along the way: experienced, wiser people who know a lot and help them. Don’t be afraid to ask teachers, coaches, or other adults you admire to talk with you about what you’re passionate about. Ask them what they wish they’d known when they were your age. Who knows, one day they may even help make your dreams a reality!

5. Don’t Do Everyone Else’s Work

When a group project member doesn’t contribute well (or at all), it’s easy just to do it yourself – and stay quiet about it. Taking over can give you control in the moment, but it can also leave you feeling resentful, carrying more of the workload, and not getting any of the credit. Address the problem directly by asking your classmate when she thinks she’ll finish her tasks. If you don’t get a clear response, be more direct about what you need, or ask a teacher for help.

6. Speak Up in Friendship

We’ve probably all gossiped at one point or another, but if you always talk about your friends instead of to them, you miss the chance to practice speaking up to the people who matter most. Being able to tell someone how you feel will help you in every area of your life, no matter how you choose to lean in. And you may want to avoid relying on texting or social media to say the tough stuff. It makes communication easier in the moment, but you’ll risk paying the price later of not speaking face-to-face now. Being direct is scary, but do it with care and you’ll earn the respect and trust of those around you.

7. Trust Your Inner Voice

We all have a voice playing inside our heads. It might say little things like “I wish the bell would ring” or big things like “I wish my friend would stop asking me about my grades.” That voice is your gut. It’s telling you what you genuinely think, need and want. It’s easy to stop listening to that voice when you’re worried about what people might think. Stay connected to it as much as you can. It’s your inner compass. If you can’t share that voice now, keep a journal where you can – and keep looking for the people who want to hear it.

8. Change the World

You don’t have to run the world to change it. What lights you up inside? What makes you feel outraged? Join a club or start a community organisation. Maybe even vote YOU for class president. Running a campaign gives you amazing practice for speaking and marketing yourself as a leader. Whatever you decide, remember: your voice is like no one else’s, but we won’t hear it if you don’t use it.

9. Remember: It’s Not Always Easy to Speak Up, but It’s Worth It

You’re growing up in a world that’s still confused about how powerful it wants girls to be. Girls are supposed to be confident but nice, ambitious but not selfish, successful but not conceited. The rules can be confusing and unfair – which means not everyone’s going to love it when you speak up. In fact, no matter how nicely you say something, there may be a person who thinks you’re being mean. Trust your voice even when it feels like the world doesn’t, and stay close to the friends and family members who celebrate your strength.

10. Practice!

You’ve grown up practicing things like schoolwork, sports, and music. But no one tells you to practice speaking up, taking risks, or saying what you need. What’s up with that? There’s nothing in life that doesn’t require practice, and speaking up is no exception. Work those muscles! It might be scary the first time, but it gets easier.

Tips courtesy banbossy.com

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Your thoughts

Thanks gem 4 d tips.i shall try 2 inspire other by sharing wt frnds

March 20, 2022, 8:03 p.m.

Nice tips!

March 20, 2022, 8:03 p.m.

Thanks

March 20, 2022, 8:03 p.m.

what can I do with my life,I have just finished my ssce and am at home,been looking for job but haven't seen any,what should I do

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Chiomamicheal! There are a lot of things to try do now that you have the time. You can choose to learn a trade, start a small business using your talents, look for a job, support your parents/guardians in their business and much more. It all depends on what exactly you want to do. Feel free to choose any of these options. We wish you all the best.

Thanks for this..!But must i do all to flex my leadership muscles?

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Joyoski! It will benefit you if you can. However, do not put yourself under pressure to get it all right immediately. Somethings take time and bad habits are also hard to break so just make an effort to start from somewhere and it will do you a lot of good. We hope this helps

Thanks BigSis..

hi big sis....love everything written up there but I think I have a problem,I don't like reading my school notes/textbooks buh prefer reading inspirational books and stuffs,what do I do?

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Cutiekim! This is very normal among students sometimes because every other work that is not related to school work tends to look interesting. At this point, you have to make reading school notes interesting. You can do this by joining a reading group, use fun things or situations to remember what you have read etc. There are so many fun ways to read. Also, try to avoid getting distracted when you are reading. What this means is that you need to remove every novel, phone etc that may distract you so that you can be focused. We hope this helps.

gud my lovely sis

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

good write up and most courageing

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Springster! This article was written because of you and we are glad you love it. Feel free to share it with your friends

I love the write up...it's cool....although it's about me...I love to sing but can't let it out to the world......

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Cool write up

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Thanks 4 dis nw am super cool

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

I agree, girls can be leaders. #Girls Rulz

March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

We rules

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

nice frnds. i have learnt alot

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

nicce

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

Gr8

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

Nice one. Tnx alot

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

Am new here

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

u are right

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

Y Girl Her 2 Jealous Of Boy Y

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

This is really going to be of help to me...

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

Awesome

March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.

Great

March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.

big sis,pls am in luv.I need ur advise

March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.

I am not a confident type I am not free with people

March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey yungrachzy! Thanks for the comment. You can be confident too. Just make up your mind and that is what you will be. You can follow the tips and steps in the article above and we are sure it will work for you. We hope this helps

Is There A Big Deal For Someone To Be Transparent?

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Stardom! By transparent, do you mean open? If that is what you mean, then YES! You have to be transparent so that people can trust you and it goes to show that you are not cunning/tricky and so you gain the trust of others. If this is not what you mean by transparent, please let us know. We hope this helps

How can i be bold enough to give a testimony in church?

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey suzyblinks! Thanks for the comment. We have written a lot of stories on confidence and speaking up. You can find them when you search for #confidence at the bottom of the page. We hope this helps

Thanks alot Big Sis! The write up came just in time, cos I've been a hard time dealing with shyness and facing the crowd. God bless! 😘

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Tife! We are glad you found this helpful. Please feel free to share it with your friends too.

Tnks Big Sis U Ar Rely A Godsent.I Rely Learnt Alot 4rm Dis Helpful Note Of Urs.Godbless U.

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Courage! We are glad you learnt from this. Feel free to share with your friends so that they can also learn from this. Thanks for this wonderful feedback

Big sis thanks alot for this write up it will help me alot u are indeed a God sent

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Hi big sis,i appreciate dis message cos i learnt a lot from it

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey bes_tie! Thanks for the comment. We are glad you like this article and you learnt a lot from this. We hope this helps

thanks big sis u are just like a mum to us all*^_^*

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

You're welcome dear funky!

thanks alot big sis you've made me want to speak very loud by putting shame and fright aside I really appreciate it a lot cos my friends always make fond of me when I don't speak a lot back to then when I was still in school.

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Savage! Thanks a lot for sharing this with us. We are glad that we could be of help to you and we are really really excited. Thanks once again and feel free to share this with your friends.

Big sister,wat if you said you re not sure about And people lol at you,because they think you are old enough to know it

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey 111111! Thanks for the comment. People learn everyday and no one should judge you for asking that question because they obviously do not know everything themselves. So do not feel bad about this. Just let them know that no one knows everything and the fact that you asked means that you are willing to learn something new. We hope this helps

What can I do if my friends won't allow me to speak even when I want to pls help me

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Why do u have 2 follow every thing dey say.U have to be confident and also stand out

I feel strange when am around them but not all the time old what can I do in that situation

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Wonderful

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

I feel scared to answer questions in class Why is that so???

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Thanks for the write up Big sis, I really hope it works for me. Lack of confidence is my biggest problem, I feel I can go the extra mile, but fear won't let me. I'm so inspired by this, thank you very much.

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Lack of confidence,and i'm always shy bcos anytime they told me to speak my heart is always beating fast.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.