Why Today’s Leadership Is Letting Young People Down (And What Must Change)

Young people today are under more pressure than any generation before them, academically, emotionally, and socially. Yet much of the conversation still focuses on “fixing the kids” instead of examining the systems and leadership shaping their world.

This live conversation looks at the harder truth:
Many leadership models meant to support young people are no longer aligned with reality.

This isn’t about blame or politics. It’s about responsibility.

Leaders working in education, youth development, mental wellness, and community impact come together to examine where leadership gaps are showing up, often unintentionally, and how outdated structures, incentives, and expectations are contributing to disengagement, burnout, and loss of trust.

More importantly, this discussion focuses on what must change.

What We’ll Cover

-Where leadership breaks down for today’s youth

-How well-intended systems create unintended harm

-Why mental health, culture, and leadership can’t be separated

-What responsible, adaptive leadership looks like now

-Practical shifts leaders can make to create real impact


Why It Matters

Young people don’t need more pressure or platitudes.
They need environments designed for growth, clarity, and trust.

This conversation is for educators, leaders, founders, and decision-makers who want to move beyond surface-level fixes and lead in ways that actually support the next generation.

Because meaningful change doesn’t start with youth behavior.
It starts with leadership.