One of the most valuable takeaways from the CADA Convention is discovering new ways to strengthen student leadership teams. In his session “Lessons in Leadership: Building Stronger Teams,” veteran educator and leadership presenter Greg Dowden shared practical strategies Activities Directors can begin implementing immediately to build stronger, more connected leadership programs.

Dowden’s workshop focused on a simple but powerful idea: great leadership teams don’t start in August, they begin forming months earlier. By intentionally welcoming and connecting new leaders before the school year even begins, advisors can create a culture of belonging and collaboration that carries through the entire year.

Dowden emphasized building relationships early and consistently through structured activities that encourage mentorship and connection among students.

Starting Before the School Year Begins

Dowden encouraged advisors to start developing their leadership teams before the current school year ends, using the spring semester as an opportunity to introduce newly selected leaders to the program.

One idea he shared was pairing returning student leaders with incoming leadership students as “leadership buddies.” Returning students write a structured welcome letter that introduces themselves, shares helpful tips about the leadership program, and provides contact information. These letters become part of a formal invitation for the new students to join the team.

To help these partnerships succeed, Dowden suggested providing prompts that guide conversations and encourage regular communication between buddies throughout the spring. This early connection helps new leaders feel welcomed and supported before their leadership journey officially begins.

Creating Welcoming Experiences for New Leaders

Another idea shared in the session was hosting a New Leader Luncheon to celebrate and welcome incoming leadership students.

In this model, outgoing senior leaders take on the role of hosts and servers for the event. New leaders sit with their assigned buddies and begin building relationships with other members of the leadership program.

This simple gesture creates a meaningful transition between leadership classes and helps establish a sense of tradition and continuity within the program.

Dowden also encouraged advisors to invite incoming leaders to volunteer at spring events, allowing them to experience the leadership program in action before their official role begins the following year.

Building “Leadership Families”

One of the more creative strategies Dowden shared was organizing leadership students into “families.”

Each family is led by a designated student leader who serves as the family head. These leaders help coordinate communication through tools like phone trees, conduct weekly check-ins with their members, and celebrate achievements within the group.

The family model encourages mentorship, accountability, and deeper relationships between students across grade levels.

More importantly, it ensures that every student has a smaller group within the larger leadership class where they feel connected and supported.

Daily Connection Activities

Dowden also introduced a simple daily activity designed to encourage interaction among students.

At the start of class, each student decorates a personalized name tag. These name tags move around the room each day so students interact with different classmates.

Inside the name tag are prompts or questions for students to answer, ranging from leadership reflections to fun personal questions.

Family heads collect the name tags at the end of class, respond to the prompts, and return them the following day.

This small activity creates daily opportunities for connection and helps students learn more about one another throughout the year.

Leadership Is About Relationships

Dowden’s message throughout the session was clear: strong leadership programs are built on relationships.

When students feel connected, to their peers, to their mentors, and to the leadership program itself—they are more confident, more collaborative, and more willing to step into leadership roles.

By starting the team-building process early and intentionally creating opportunities for connection, Activities Directors can develop leadership teams that are ready to support their campuses from day one.

A Convention Full of Ideas

Sessions like Dowden’s remind Activities Directors why the CADA Convention continues to be such an important professional learning experience. Advisors leave not only with inspiration but with practical strategies they can bring back to their campuses immediately.

And sometimes, building stronger leadership teams starts with something as simple as a welcome letter, a shared meal, or a name tag passed around the room.

Those small moments can become the foundation for a year of leadership and connection.