031 Sarah Hernholm -- Change Yourself First

We are thrilled to have Sarah Hernholm join us in the YouSchool 'studio'. In 2009, Sarah Hernholm left her elementary school teaching days and launched WIT - Whatever It Takes. Convinced that a company could be built to provide youth with the tools and skills needed to become social entrepreneurs and leaders, she began her journey.

Six years later, WIT is the only college-credit social entrepreneur and leadership course for high school teens in the country.  As Founder/President of WIT, Sarah helps launch WIT sites all over the country, and motivates teens to launch enterprises designed to change their communities! Sarah also created SMART CITY SATURDAY, which hosts teen only hackathons around the country. These hackathons provide teens the opportunity to spend the day tackling their city's greatest challenges and then at the end of the event, present their proposed solutions to city-officials. 

Along the way she has delivered three TEDx talks:

• Power of Authentic Self-Expression

• The Importance of Asking - "Why is this happening for me (not 'to' me)?"

• Place More Commas Than Periods

These talks resulted in more talks...like the one about "risky" behavior shared in a recent Creative Mornings talk. 

 

In everything she does, Sarah lives and leads with "11 Tips for Doing WIT". These Tips help develop greater emotional intelligence, along with activating an entrepreneurial mindset. As a result of the proven impact of the 11 Tips for Doing WIT, Sarah has partnered with organizations, companies, school districts, and parent groups to teach the 11 Tips for Doing WIT. These Tips resonate with everyone. While not everyone will be an entrepreneur and launch a business, EVERYONE can develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and benefit from enhancing and developing their emotional intelligence. 

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter or Instagram

Books recommended on the episode:

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Dan Pink

The Conscious Parent, Shefali Tsabury