It was Leadership Week at my kids’ school recently, and I was surprised that both volunteered me to give five-minute talks to their respective classes during homeroom.

While I was glad they saw me as capable of doing it (and not scared that I might embarrass them), I wondered how they felt free to sign me up without asking me first. I thought I could use the same material for both talks, but as luck would have it, my third and seventh-graders Juno and Jack assigned me different topics.

I’ve written speeches for others but haven’t had to for myself—at least not since I had to address adults at my corporate job 16 years ago. As a writer, I enjoy laying out my thoughts uninterrupted, take it or leave it. I don’t have to deal with short attention spans, rude behavior, or—gasp!—feedback.

When I spoke to my seventh-grade audience about synergy, I had to be engaging and interactive. Middle schoolers can be self-absorbed and perpetually bored. I decided to focus on personal and authentic storytelling to entertain them and plied them with chocolate as prizes for participation (wrappers of which formed a bigger picture to further drive home the point of synergy!).

My third-grade crowd was a revelation. They were adorable, but also filterless and frank. Here’s what I shared with them about practicing their leadership skills as students:

Ultimate challenge

Leaders show the way, help their friends and improve their community. They don’t boss you around; they work together—synergizing—to make things awesome! Today, I will talk about a special kind of leadership.

Taking care of our planet is the ultimate leadership challenge.

As Earthlings, we are responsible for protecting our home. Earthlings who make kind choices are called vegans. They are heroes for animals and the planet because they do not eat or use any products that come from animals. Did you know that being vegan reduces our carbon footprint and saves water even more than all transportation combined?

One way we can practice leadership is through kindness.

Leaders are kind to everyone. They help others feel happy, included and cared for. When we choose to be vegan, we show compassion for animals by not using them for food, transportation or entertainment. Being a leader is about making choices that align with our values, and being vegan is a powerful way to save lives. Everyone has the right to live a good life, so let us be kind to every kind of Earthling.

Another way to practice leadership is through teamwork.

Leaders know they’re part of a team. We’re all interconnected; we rely on each other. Eco-heroes team up to save the day because there is no Planet B! Choosing to be vegan is working with the planet and others to create a healthier, happier world. When we practice teamwork, we can accomplish bigger and better things together.

We also practice leadership by listening to others.

Leaders listen. They pay attention to what others say to understand friends better so they can help them. Animals are our friends, not food. Like us, they have families and don’t want to die or get hurt. Leaders are also open to trying new things. For instance, exploring vegan food lets you discover other tasty and nutritious options. There is power in third graders like you politely requesting vegan options in the canteen, restaurant or at home.

Lastly, we can practice leadership by being responsible role models.

Leaders take responsibility for their actions. They do what they say they will do. When we practice responsibility, we become trustworthy and reliable. We can model being resourceful and avoiding waste. Living plant-based has a softer impact on the environment. Even as a child, you can make the world cleaner and greener by bringing your own bag to market, always having a reusable water bottle and not eating animals.

Practice makes perfect, eco-heroes!

Just like athletes train daily to get stronger, we can practice being an eco-hero every day. Whether choosing a plant-based snack, working together on a project or being kind to someone, every small act matters!Remember that each one of you has the power to be a good influence. Practice your listening, teamwork, responsibility and kindness every day. Making these skills a habit will enable you to become better leaders and Earthlings for a kinder, more sustainable world. As Captain Planet would say, “The power is yours!”

Difficult conversations

While I was glad for the opportunity to open the discussion on practicing leadership through veganism, it also meant having difficult conversations afterward during the impromptu Q&A. I had given away stickers from Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) with cartoon chicks and messages like “Jesus Loves Me, Too” and “I am not a nugget.”

A boy shared that his family had a chicken farm. I shared that my grandmother had a piggery, too, and that I saw a documentary about how a chicken farmer transitioned to mushroom farming instead. The rest of the time I explained the difference between being vegetarian and vegan and redirected sensitive topics to positive ways others have pivoted to cruelty-free choices. It was important to focus on what they can do.

My 8-year-old was happy to feel understood, now that her teacher and classmates know why she is the way she is. A co-parent requested more materials as she was interested in shifting her family to go vegan, having watched some documentaries with her husband. Small wins for the animals and the planet.

During the potlucks, my kids bring fruit to share, to add to the usual spread of pizza, chicken and donuts. While fruit isn’t popular with my son’s fellow seventh-graders, they are well-received by the school guards who take home class party leftovers. At Juno’s class, she excitedly reported: “The bananas disappeared quickly, Mom! They were a big hit!” —CONTRIBUTED INQ