Jiayun's Lollipop Workshop

We all have done something that impacted another person's life. Even if it's the smallest thing, it can still have an enormous impact. Whether that be an action or a compliment, it has an effect. Jiayun's workshop points out that we often undermine our impact towards other because it's scary to know how much we can influence an individual.

The workshop started with an icebreaker. Everyone received a pack of post it, where participants wrote a compliment to each other. By the end of the icebreaker, everyone had a list of compliments. Laughter and smile filled the room as each individual read their compliments.

So what was the point of the lollipop? In a Ted Talk, Everyday leadership presented by Drew Dudley, he mentioned that we deny ourselves as leaders because we value leadership as something bigger than ourselves. He shares a story of how he influenced someone's life with a lollipop. Four years later, the women, who he influenced thanked him. Ironically, when Drew received a wedding invitation from this women, he couldn't recall the drastic influence he had on her. Similar to us, he has undermined the power of his actions.

In honoring important members of our life, we were encouraged to confront the importance and the impact these people had on us. Students walked around the room thanking each other for the enormous impact the person had on them. By simply identifying the moment and presenting the receive a lollipop, we acknowledge our impact on individuals.