I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with teen empowerment coach Lorraine Connell, founder of Peers Not Fears LLC, to talk about how we can help our young people discover their own leadership potential.

How Lorraine’s Journey Began

After teaching chemistry for over twenty years, Lorraine noticed that so many teens—no matter their background—were eager for confidence and a voice. She decided to leave the lab and focus entirely on guiding 12- to 16-year-olds to see leadership as a set of skills anyone can learn.

Debunking Three Common Leadership Myths

  • “Leaders Are Born, Not Made”: I learned that, just like sports or music, leadership grows through consistent practice.
  • “Leaders Must Be Perfect”: Lorraine reminded me that our mistakes are actually opportunities to model resilience.
  • “You Need a Title to Lead”: Every small choice we make guides ourselves or others—no fancy title required.

Why “Peers Not Fears” Resonates

The name flipped on me: instead of teens feeling pressured by judgment, Lorraine envisions a community where they lift each other up as equals—true peers who banish fear.

Creating a Safe “Challenge Zone”

In traditional classrooms, a wrong answer often means a red mark—but Lorraine builds what she calls a “challenge zone,” where trying, failing, and learning are all part of growing real confidence.

Inspiring Transformations I’ve Seen

  • Quiet to Courageous: I’ve watched reserved teens go from barely speaking up to leading presentations in front of their entire school.
  • Energy Redirected: Teens once labeled troublemakers discovered teamwork and respect through fun, hands-on challenges.

How You Can Support Your Teen

  • Describe Actions, Not Labels: Say “You seem thoughtful” instead of “You’re shy.”
  • Break Big Goals into Steps: Practice a speech in front of a mirror, then a sibling, then you—building confidence layer by layer.
  • Honor Comfort vs. Growth Zones: Celebrate when they step just beyond what feels easy—the real learning happens there.

What’s Next for Peers Not Fears

Lorraine’s upcoming book, A Teacher’s Story: How One Act of Leadership Inspired Many, shares 15 real student journeys. I can’t wait to see how these stories continue to spark inclusive leadership conversations everywhere.