Leadership Programmes
I CAN LEAD helps students understand that leadership grows in small, intentional steps. By breaking the five key leadership practices—Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart—into 15 actionable mindsets, students learn to practice leadership deliberately, identify gaps, and strengthen their skills over time.
The program is structured around mini-projects, giving students a real context to apply leadership mindsets, harness their strengths, and work on areas for growth. This project-based approach ensures learners see how each mindset builds toward leading themselves, peers, and teams, and empowers them to translate skills into tangible action and impact.
Lead by Design – Leadership Programmes
Design for Change Singapore helps students discover their leadership potential, whether they are just starting out or ready to lead peers and communities. Through hands-on practice, reflection, and collaboration, participants grow into confident, responsible leaders.
Primary Level: Lead by Design
In Lead by Design, students build the foundation for leadership by developing self-awareness, responsibility, and decision-making skills. They learn to support and influence peers, practise teamwork, and apply leadership in the classroom and school community. By gradually applying their skills from personal to team and community leadership, students learn to lead with confidence, care, and impact.
Secondary Level: I CAN LEAD
I CAN LEAD guides students through five leadership practices based on The Student Leadership Challenge (Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart). In I CAN Lead we break these five practices into 15 mindsets of a LEADER, that students can practice intentionally making leadership growth clear, practical and achievable. . Through reflection and authentic practice, they gain the skills and mindset to lead themselves, peers, and teams, while inspiring meaningful change in their school and community.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Practice leadership habits through concrete, context-driven experiences
- Lead self, peers, and teams with confidence, empathy, and purpose
- Identify gaps in skills and mindsets and take deliberate steps to grow
- Apply leadership mindsets to real-world projects and meaningful change
Overall Approach:
I CAN LEAD combines hands-on practice, reflection, and real-life application to equip students with adaptive leadership skills they can self-access and carry forward beyond the program.
Storytelling
The art of story becomes a tool for influence, advocacy, and change. Participants learn to craft compelling narratives through pitching, journalism, and public speaking.
Storytelling – Advocacy, Power of the Pitch, Journalism & Broadcast, and Storytelling for Influence
Storytelling is at the heart of how students shape ideas, connect with others, and inspire change. This programme helps learners find their voice and craft compelling narratives, while giving schools the flexibility to choose from different strands such as advocacy, pitching, journalism, broadcast, or storytelling for influence, depending on their learning goals. Through interactive experiences, students practice structuring ideas, using their voice and body language with confidence, and tailoring their message to engage audiences. At every stage, the I CAN mindset is emphasised, empowering learners to see that their stories have the power to make an impact.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By engaging in this programme, students will:
- Strengthen communication skills that support clarity, confidence, and presence.
- Build empathy by understanding perspectives and telling stories that matter to their communities.
- Develop critical thinking as they identify key messages and learn to frame them for influence.
- Experience the creativity and joy of expression while seeing how their words can move others to think, feel, or act.
Storytelling goes beyond performance. It is about agency, voice, and purpose. Students leave the programme with greater confidence in expressing themselves and practical tools to communicate with clarity and conviction. In a world where influence and communication are essential life skills, this programme equips learners to use their voice responsibly and effectively.
Communication Skills
From speaking and presenting to collaborating effectively, this programme sharpens essential life skills. Students walk away ready to positively communicate and connect
Effective communication is at the core of strong leadership and healthy relationships. This programme focuses on the practical skills students need to express themselves with clarity, confidence, and respect in different settings. Through interactive exercises, role-play, and peer feedback, learners build their ability to listen actively, speak with purpose, and engage others in meaningful dialogue. The emphasis is on positive communication as a life skill that empowers young people to collaborate, lead, and influence effectively.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Key outcomes of the programme include:
- Learning to express ideas clearly and confidently.
- Developing active listening skills that strengthen understanding
- and relationships.
- Practicing techniques for persuasive and respectful communication.
- Gaining strategies to manage nerves and build presence when speaking to groups.
- Strengthening teamwork and leadership by engaging others through positive dialogue.
These skills prepare students not only for academic success but also for real-world interaction, leading peers, advocating for causes, or working in teams. With the I CAN mindset embedded throughout, learners gain the confidence to use their voice responsibly, listen with empathy, and communicate with impact.