FOURTEEN youths last week got the opportunity to meet and interact with leaders in business, politics, education, entertainment, and sports at a seminar in Kingston.

An initiative of Seabed Marine Regional Vice-president Stephen Bell and his wife, EXIM Bank Managing Director Lisa Bell, the leadership seminar last week saw participants exposed to lectures on the theory of leadership, as well as on social etiquette related to leadership.

On Tuesday, they met with LIME Managing Director Garry Sinclair and Chairman Chris Dehring. Later, they met with government ministers and had plans to meet with the heads of Scotiabank, Jamaica Producers and the Jamaica Defence Force. They were scheduled to meet with the governor general, entertainers and athletes by the week’s end.

“We wanted them to have personal interaction with these leaders to allow them to hear what it takes, what is the good, what is the bad, what the failures and the successes are that would hopefully inspire them to get on that path [of leadership],” said Lisa Bell.

Participants included students from Immaculate Conception High, Campion College, Hillel Academy, Jamaica College, and Penwood High, in addition to a few youngsters who are about to start university.

“We are giving them positive role models so they can learn from their [leaders’] experiences. We feel that there are great people right here in Jamaica,” noted Stephen Bell.

Meanwhile, Sinclair shared with the students details of his life and journey up the corporate ladder while providing advice on how they could achieve their own success.

“Life is a marathon; it’s not a rush. Never feel like ‘I have to get this done by 20 and that done by 23’. I am 50 years old now and enjoying life now more than ever,” he said. “Even as you go through this marathon, avoid the path of least-resistance. Avoid the sense that says ‘let me take the easy way out’. The most challenging path is usually going to end up leading to the highest goal.”

“Live your own lives. Have the courage of your convictions. Abide by principles you develop throughout your life and at the end of the day, do what makes you proud,” Sinclair added.