I was teaching a class at Stanford today to 17-year old kids in a gifted youth program on Decision Quality (for the Decision Education Foundation). My section was on Values and Ethics. I dwelled on laddership for a bit, sharing stories of Gandhi and Vinoba, and asked the students what they understood by laddership. They filled a wall with stickies, and the depth of their reflections blew me away. Here is what they wrote:

Being selfless and willing to sacrifice yourself for the benefit of others. More than that, it means you are willing to accept people for who they are and are willing to accept both their flaws and their strengths.

Laddership is to make the people around you better. Not in what you consider better, but what they consider better. To genuinely aid them with no expectation of self-gain is the service of laddership.

Pursuit of creating value for others while staying humble.

Laddership is the concept of being a great leader without claiming responsibility or credit for the success.

Being someone who helps to elevate people around them while not asking for anything in return, e.g. My parents have been great ladders, giving me funding for education, etc.

Helping others to reach their goals without expecting anything back.

Be a helpful tool (make this your purpose)

Being able to help others achieve the best of themselves and indirectly upgrading ourselves at the same time.

Most fundamental idea of a community, it’s to follow people when you are leading and to lead people when you are following – parents

Laddership means being a leader and a follower. It’s setting a path for yourself and then having the courage and commitment to follow through.

Inspiring other people and instilling a passion or motivation about something, e.g. parents, 8/9th English teacher, 10th history teacher

Bringing out the best, most wholesome person one can be e.g. parents, Linda, my sister, Hanna

Laddership is the upward progression of life and how ladders always go up. People are ladders if they assist in pulling you up the ladder. My parents, friends, and family have all been ladders.

Helping others reach their full potential even if it means that they may outshine you.

Leadership with greater interest in the benefits of others than solely your own.

Being a tool to elevate others. Seeking no credit and helping for the sake of helping, e.g. my family

Someone who guides and helps you improve and become a better person.

Things that make me standing at a higher place. Troubles make me aim higher, and support and encouragement make me step further.

Laddership means thinking about others even when you might not be appreciated for your efforts.