What Aristotle, Booker T. Washington, and Benjamin Franklin Teach Us About Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
In 343 BC, a 13-year-old prince arrived at the palace school in Mieza, Macedonia. His father, King Philip II, had hired the best tutor money could buy: Aristotle, the philosopher who had studied under Plato himself. What happened over the next three years would literally change the course of world history.
But here’s what makes this story fascinating: Aristotle didn’t just teach Alexander facts about geography, politics, and warfare. He understood the young prince’s unique personality and natural leadership gifts, then developed a customized educational approach that would unleash Alexander’s potential to lead one of history’s greatest empires.
Alexander was naturally bold, competitive, and visionary—what we might recognize today as a high “D” (Dominance) personality in DISC terms. Aristotle didn’t try to make him more cautious or contemplative. Instead, he channeled that natural drive toward noble purposes, taught him to think strategically, and helped him understand how to inspire loyalty in others.
The result? By age 30, Alexander had conquered most of the known world. But more importantly, he had learned to adapt his leadership style to different cultures, inspire diverse armies, and leave a legacy that influenced civilization for centuries.
The Power of Believing in Potential
Fast forward to 1881 Alabama, where a young man named Booker T. Washington faced a challenge that seemed impossible: starting a school for recently freed slaves with almost no resources, no building, and students who had been denied education their entire lives.
But Washington understood something profound about human potential. He looked at young people who had been told they were worthless and saw future teachers, farmers, craftsmen, and leaders. He didn’t just give them information—he gave them transformation.
Washington’s approach was revolutionary: he combined academic learning with practical skills, character development with confidence building. He understood each student’s background and learning style, adapting his methods to meet them where they were. Most importantly, he helped them see themselves not as victims of their circumstances, but as architects of their future.
One of his students later wrote, “Before I came to Tuskegee, I didn’t know I had any gifts. Dr. Washington helped me discover not just what I could do, but who I could become.”
The Master of Mentorship
Then there’s Benjamin Franklin, who might be history’s greatest mentor multiplier. Throughout his life, Franklin invested in young people, helping them discover their potential and develop their talents. He founded libraries, schools, and professional associations—all designed to help the next generation grow beyond what they thought possible.
But Franklin’s mentorship wasn’t generic advice or one-size-fits-all guidance. He studied each young person’s personality, interests, and natural abilities, then provided customized guidance that unlocked their unique potential. His protégés went on to become successful businesspeople, inventors, writers, and civic leaders.
Franklin understood that every young person is unique, with their own combination of talents, motivations, and learning styles. His job wasn’t to create copies of himself, but to help each person become the best version of themselves.
The Modern Science of Youth Development
What Aristotle accomplished with Alexander, what Washington achieved with his students, and what Franklin did with his protégés—this is exactly what modern youth development research tells us works best: understanding each young person’s unique design and providing customized guidance that builds on their strengths.
This is the heart of our Lead the Next Generation pathway.
Discovering Each Student’s Leadership Blueprint
Our DISC Student Success Reports work like having Aristotle’s insight into each young person’s natural style. When you understand that your teenager is naturally more analytical and detail-oriented (what we call “C” style), you can help them develop their research and problem-solving gifts instead of pushing them to be more outgoing and spontaneous.
The Student Career Reports reveal learning preferences and thinking patterns—similar to how Franklin identified which young people were naturally entrepreneurial versus those who were gifted teachers or craftsmen. When you understand how a young person’s mind naturally works, you can guide them toward opportunities where they’ll thrive.
Building Resilience Through Understanding
Washington faced students who had experienced trauma, poverty, and systematic oppression—what we now recognize as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). But he understood that young people are incredibly resilient when they have adults who believe in them and environments that support their growth.
Our multi-year youth programs focus on creating these healthy environments while reducing ACE events in students’ lives. We help families and communities understand that young people don’t just need more rules or higher expectations—they need adults who understand their unique design and can guide them toward their natural strengths.
The Multiplication Effect
Here’s what these three master mentors understood: when you invest in developing one young person’s potential, you’re not just changing their life—you’re changing every life they’ll influence in the future.
Alexander’s leadership shaped an empire and influenced Western civilization. Washington’s students went on to educate thousands of others and break cycles of poverty and oppression. Franklin’s protégés became leaders who helped build American society and culture.
Every young person in your sphere of influence—your children, students you teach, teenagers in your community—has this same multiplication potential.
Your Mentorship Moment
The question isn’t whether the young people in your life have potential—they do. The question is whether you’ll invest in discovering and developing it the way Aristotle, Washington, and Franklin did with their students.
Through our mentoring strategies and Student Success Reports, you’ll learn to see past a young person’s current circumstances or challenging behaviors to their underlying potential. You’ll understand their unique personality, motivations, and natural gifts. Most importantly, you’ll gain practical tools to guide them toward becoming the leaders they’re meant to be.
Because here’s what history proves and what we believe deeply: the young people we invest in today become the leaders who change tomorrow.
Every great leader was once a young person with potential that someone chose to recognize and develop. Your investment in the next generation isn’t just about helping them—it’s about shaping the future.
Learn How to Lead the Next Generation →
