Michael Johnson Young Leader programme
The Challenge
Michael Johnson is a sporting legend – a four-times Olympic gold medallist, a much-loved BBC pundit, and business entrepreneur who developed the elite Michael Johnson Performance center in Dallas. The next challenge for MJ was to create a leadership programme to invest in young athletes around the world who he saw as catalysts for change in their local communities.
Programme
The Michael Johnson Young Leader programme was developed through a partnership between Think Beyond, CoCreate and Coaches Across Continents, and was aimed at equipping young athletes from deprived communities around the world with the confidence, support and leadership skills to tackle issues they faced in their own communities. From gender inequality in Zanzibar and Tibet, to disability inclusion in Britain and America, and youth education in Brazil and Cambodia, these young people are using sport to tackle some of societies most pressing issues.
Impact
CoCreate delivered a week-long development event in Dallas that translated leadership potential into reality, building their self-awareness, resilience and sense of personal agency. We integrated intensive leadership sessions – led by Michael and his team – around the physical performance elements. The result was an exceptionally powerful personal development experience.
Client experience
I knew we needed someone on board who understood leadership and who would inspire the young people. From the first time we met Andy I knew that CoCreate had the right people for the job. Their training style brings to life the leadership concepts most important to me – working within your sphere of influence, building resilience and developing the confidence to act and make a difference. I’m looking forward to working together to help more young people to unlock their leadership potential.
michael johnson – four-times olympic gold medalist
