Alright, future business tycoons and the parents who secretly hope to retire early because of them , listen up! If you’ve ever dreamt of owning the boardroom, making deals that would make a Wall Street wolf cry, or even just being the coolest kid in your high school’s entrepreneurship club, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re talking about building leadership from scratch, Carol Tomé style.
Now, if you don’t know who Carol Tomé is, here’s the 411: she’s the CEO of UPS, a company you’ve definitely used to ship Grandma’s questionable Christmas cookies. Before that, she was the CFO of Home Depot. Yes, THE Home Depot, where your dad spends six hours looking for nails and ends up buying a grill. Carol climbed her way to the top using smarts, grit, and the leadership skills we’re about to unpack. So grab a pen (or just your phone , we know how this generation rolls), and let’s dive in!
Step 1: Know Thyself (AKA Stop Pretending to Be Elon Musk)
First things first, you’ve got to figure out who YOU are. Carol didn’t try to be the loudest or flashiest leader in the room; she was herself. Leadership isn’t about mimicking someone else. So, stop posting vague motivational quotes and figure out what makes you tick. Are you a numbers person? A creative thinker? A great listener? Once you’ve nailed that down, you’re halfway there. Parents, this is where you can help. Remind your teens it’s okay to NOT know everything by age 15. It’s also okay to occasionally take a break from TikTok to reflect. Just saying.
Step 2: Start Small (Seriously, Chill Out)
Carol didn’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to run a global logistics empire.” Nope. She started by working hard, learning the ropes, and focusing on one thing at a time. Teens, your “UPS moment” might not start with a corner office. It could be leading a group project without losing your mind or starting a side hustle selling custom sneakers. Whatever it is, do it well. Remember, today’s lemonade stand CEO is tomorrow’s Fortune 500 leader.
Step 3: Learn the Art of Listening (No, Not Just Nodding)
Here’s the deal: real leaders listen. Carol once said she made it a point to listen and learn from her employees, whether they were delivering packages or running the show in the boardroom. You want to lead? Start by listening. And no, “listening” doesn’t mean checking your phone while someone’s talking. Listen to your friends, your teachers, your parents (yes, even when they’re lecturing). Pro tip for parents: try not to turn this into an “I told you so” moment. Baby steps.
Step 4: Build Relationships (Even with the Weird Kid in Class)
Carol’s leadership success was built on relationships. She connected with people at every level. In high school terms, this means saying hi to the kid who always sits alone at lunch or helping your teammate with their part of the group project (even when they’re THE WORST). Building relationships is key to being a leader because, spoiler alert, you can’t do it alone. Parents, remind your kids that kindness is free. Who knows? That “weird kid” might invent the next big thing, and boom , instant networking.
Step 5: Embrace Challenges (AKA Don’t Cry Over Spilled Starbucks)
Carol didn’t shy away from challenges. She faced them head-on, learned from her mistakes, and kept going. Teens, this means when you bomb that math test or your startup idea flops, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just the beginning. Parents, this is your moment to shine. Encourage resilience with a side of humor. A little “Remember when you thought slime-making was a full-time career?” can go a long way.
Step 6: Stay Humble, Stay Hungry
Carol’s approach to leadership is grounded in humility and a hunger for growth. Whether she was CFO or CEO, she stayed curious and open to learning. Teens, take a page from her book. Be proud but not arrogant. Confident but not cocky. And for the love of all that is holy, remember: it’s okay to ask for help. Parents, remind your kids that being humble is cool. (Yes, even cooler than whatever dance trend is popular right now.)
Step 7: Give Back (Because Good Leaders Lift Others Up)
Lastly, Carol’s leadership mantra includes giving back. She’s big on community and helping others succeed. Teens, this is your cue to volunteer, mentor someone younger, or just be a decent human being. Parents, encourage this by joining in. Make giving back a family affair. Nothing says “leadership” like a kid who cares about more than just their GPA or follower count.
Wrapping It Up
Becoming a leader like Carol Tomé isn’t about being born with superpowers or wearing power suits at 17. It’s about starting small, staying curious, and being kind. It’s about listening, learning, and stepping up when it counts. So, teens, go out there and lead. Parents, give them the tools and the space to try (and fail). And remember, whether you’re shipping packages, running the show, or just trying to survive high school, leadership is built one step at a time.
