Critical thinker offers words of advice to YCL

(CNS): One of the world’s experts in critical thinking and mental toughness training led a workshop in the Cayman Islands this weekend. Steve Siebold spent last Saturday helping charter members of the Young Caymanian Speakers Bureau hone their critical communications skills in preparation for the upcoming launch of the new arm of the Young Caymanian Leadership Foundation. Officials said the speakers bureau will provide schools, clubs, businesses and youth-focused initiatives access to role models ready to speak about their passions and beliefs. Aligned with leadership development, the goal of the bureau is to amplify the voices of these young role models. 

Siebold has appeared on television and radio shows and featured in newspaper and magazine interviews internationally. Two of his four books on mental toughness are international bestsellers and are considered by many experts to be the gold standard in the growing field of psychological performance training.

The Young Caymanian Leadership Foundation hosted Siebold, in partnership with YCLA sponsor, The Ritz-Carlton, for a day-long session.

“The Speakers Bureau is being developed in response to our audiences, who expressed a desire for us to do more to reach young people, particularly in light of the growing pressures being imposed on them,” said Young Caymanian Leadership Foundation director, Jackie Hansen. “The solution was to strengthen our message and amplify our voice, which we will be doing thanks to our alumni and their willingness to be a part of this initiative. Saturday’s training was simply the icing on the cake for a group who have already answered the call and who have been sharing their wisdom and message of hope to our youth.

“Wewere thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn from the best and we are looking forward to our speakers sharing the professional techniques which make the top speakers around the world so effective and in demand,” she added.

Local community leaders gave generously of their time to open the workshop by setting the scene on the importance of role models for the islands’. Mark Scotland the minister with resposnisbility for youth reflected on the need for the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards and the Speakers Bureau and Wil Pineau, CEO of The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce addressed the requirement for role models in business. Reverend Randy Von Kanel of Cayman Islands Baptist Church (Savannah) stressed the importance of moral values and ethics for the islands’ young people and the development of their character.

Siebold held a highly interactive day’s training programme, working with the alumni to develop their speaking skills, captivate their audiences and deliver a persuasive message. 

Garth Arch, YCLA 2012 Award recipient, said the bureau is an exciting addition to the YCLA programme. “The training provided by Steve Siebold was insightful, and we were very fortunate to have someone with his experience and talent working with us,” he added.