What Young Girls Learn from JTLeadLikeAGirl Workshops: Key Takeaways

In Australia, empowering young girls to step into leadership roles is more than an equality issue — it’s a social and economic imperative. Opportunities for girls to develop leadership skills, self-confidence, and career readiness from a young age can significantly influence their futures.

The JTLeadLikeAGirl Workshops, delivered by the Johnathan Thurston Academy (JT Academy), are specifically designed to inspire and equip young girls with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to become leaders in their communities, careers, and personal lives.

This article examines the learning outcomes from JTLeadLikeAGirl workshops, exploring what participants gain, how the workshops are structured, and the broader impact these programs are having on the next generation of female leaders.

1. The Purpose of JTLeadLikeAGirl Workshops

JTLeadLikeAGirl was developed to address the unique challenges girls face in pursuing leadership roles. While talent and capability are not bound by gender, social expectations, underrepresentation in leadership positions, and a lack of female role models can limit a girl’s perception of what’s possible.

The workshops are built on three guiding principles:

• Empowerment – helping girls believe in their ability to lead.
• Skill Development – equipping them with practical tools for leadership, communication, and decision-making.
• Pathway Awareness – connecting them with opportunities for education, careers, and community engagement.

These principles ensure that participants leave the workshop with both inspiration and actionable strategies for their personal and professional growth.

2. Structure of the JTLeadLikeAGirl Workshops

The workshops are interactive, culturally respectful, and tailored to the needs of young girls from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

A typical workshop includes:

• Interactive group sessions – promoting teamwork and idea sharing.
• Skill-building exercises – focused on communication, problem-solving, and confidence.
• Role model engagement – hearing from women in leadership roles and community influencers.
• Cultural awareness components – recognising and celebrating diversity in leadership.
• Pathway planning activities – setting personal and educational goals.

This combination of activities ensures that learning is not only theoretical but also experiential, giving participants the chance to apply new skills in real-time.

Read more – JTCommunity

3. Learning Outcomes from JTLeadLikeAGirl Workshops

3.1 Building Self-Belief

One of the most transformative learning outcomes is increased self-belief. Many girls enter the workshop unsure of their capabilities or hesitant to speak up. By the end, they:

• Recognise their strengths and talents.
• Feel more confident expressing ideas.
• Understand that leadership is about influence and collaboration, not just authority.

Impact: Participants gain the mindset to step forward in school, community, and eventually workplace leadership opportunities.

3.2 Leadership Skills

Leadership in the JTLeadLikeAGirl context is taught as a set of skills that can be learned and refined. Girls develop:

• Decision-making abilities – weighing options and making confident choices.
• Problem-solving techniques – addressing challenges creatively and constructively.
• Team leadership skills – peers towards shared goals.

Impact: Participants leave with the practical tools needed to lead projects, initiatives, and teams.

3.3 Communication Mastery

Strong communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Workshops teach:

• Public speaking confidence.
• Active listening techniques.
• Non-verbal communication awareness.
• Crafting clear, persuasive messages.

Impact: Girls become more effective at presenting ideas, negotiating, and fostering collaborative relationships.

3.4 Resilience and Adaptability

Through interactive scenarios and discussions, participants learn:

• How to recover from setbacks.
• How to adapt to changing situations.
• How to manage pressure in leadership contexts.

Impact: This resilience prepares them to lead in uncertain or challenging environments.

3.5 Cultural Awareness in Leadership

Drawing on JT Academy’s expertise in cultural engagement, the workshops teach:

• The value of diversity in decision-making.
• Respectful cross-cultural communication.
• Recognising and addressing bias in leadership contexts.

Impact: Participants become culturally aware leaders who can work inclusively and respectfully in diverse teams.

3.6 Collaboration and Teamwork

Leadership isn’t about working alone — it’s about building strong teams. Girls learn:

• How to delegate effectively.
• How to balance different perspectives in a group.
• How to resolve conflicts constructively.

Impact: Participants strengthen their ability to unite and inspire groups toward shared goals.

3.7 Pathway Planning

The workshops help girls connect their leadership ambitions with practical next steps by:

• Identifying education and training opportunities.
• Setting achievable short- and long-term goals.
• Understanding the pathways to leadership in various industries.

Impact: Participants leave with a clear plan to continue developing as leaders beyond the workshop.

4. Mentorship as Part of the Learning Process

Mentorship is woven into the JTLeadLikeAGirl workshops, with female role models and leaders engaging directly with participants. Mentors:

• Share their personal leadership journeys.
• Offer guidance on overcoming challenges.
• Provide encouragement and support.
• Help connect girls with further development opportunities.

This mentorship component reinforces the learning outcomes by showing real-life applications of the skills taught.

5. Cultural and Community Relevance

For participants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, the workshops integrate cultural pride and identity into leadership learning. This ensures:

• Respect for cultural values in leadership styles.
• Recognition of Indigenous leadership traditions.
• Space for cultural stories and perspectives in decision-making.

This cultural grounding ensures that leadership development is relevant, respectful, and empowering for all participants.

6. Measurable Benefits of the Workshops

Post-workshop feedback and follow-up indicate several measurable benefits:

• Higher confidence in speaking up in class or community meetings.
• Greater participation in school leadership roles, such as student councils.
• Improved collaboration skills in group projects and activities.
• Clearer career goals and stronger motivation to achieve them.

These outcomes demonstrate that the JTLeadLikeAGirl workshops create lasting change, not just a temporary boost in confidence.

7. Employer and Partner Engagement

The workshops also benefit from corporate and community partnerships, which:

• Provide female guest speakers from various industries.
• Offer workplace visits or leadership shadowing opportunities.
• Support cultural awareness and diversity training.
• Fund program delivery to reach more participants.

Partners contribute to ensuring the learning outcomes are linked to real-world opportunities.

8. Why the Workshops Are Effective

The success of JTLeadLikeAGirl workshops can be attributed to:

• Interactive learning – engaging activities that encourage participation.
• Relatable role models – female leaders who inspire and mentor participants.
• Cultural inclusivity – making leadership development relevant to all girls.
• Practical application – immediate opportunities to practise leadership skills.
• Pathway focus – linking leadership to education and career progression.

9. Long-Term Impact Beyond the Workshops

While the workshops themselves last a set number of sessions, the impact often continues for years:

• Participants apply leadership skills in school, sports, and community projects.
• Many pursue further training in leadership, business, or community development.
• Some become mentors themselves, contributing to the cycle of empowerment.

Building the Next Generation of Female Leaders

The learning outcomes from JTLeadLikeAGirl workshops extend far beyond the program’s duration. By blending self-belief, leadership skills, communication mastery, resilience, cultural awareness, and pathway planning, the workshops create a foundation for lifelong leadership development.

Participants leave not just inspired but prepared — with the skills, mindset, and connections to lead effectively in school, community, and future workplaces.

For partners, educators, and community leaders, supporting JTLeadLikeAGirl means investing in a generation of confident, capable, and culturally aware young women who will shape the future of Australia’s leadership landscape.

Read more – JTPrograms

Empowering Youth for Long-Term Success

The JTSucceed Employment Readiness Modules are more than a training program — they are a transformative process that prepares young Australians for every stage of the employment journey.

By combining practical skill-building, cultural awareness, soft skills development, and direct employer engagement, these modules give participants the tools they need to not only enter the workforce but thrive within it.

For employers, partners, and communities, the modules represent an investment in a more skilled, inclusive, and resilient future workforce. For the youth who complete them, they are the first step in a lifelong journey of professional growth, confidence, and opportunity.