As a Certified Leadership Coach, I’ve said for years that great leaders don’t just build teams that execute tasks they build teams of problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Recently, I came across a story that brought this idea to life in the most powerful way. At Middle School 50 in Brooklyn, Principal Benjamin Honoroff inherited a school that was struggling in every possible way plummeting test scores, declining enrollment, and even a place on New York’s list of “persistently dangerous schools.”
But rather than focusing on discipline or control, Honoroff made a bold, almost radical choice: he wove debate into every single classroom and every grade level. Debate wasn’t just an extracurricular it became part of how students learned everything. Even math.
By introducing structured argument and critical questioning into daily lessons, Honoroff taught students to think, not just memorize. They learned to articulate ideas, listen to others, and support their reasoning with evidence. Those same skills curiosity, communication, reflection, and confidence are exactly what we talk about in leadership development.
The results speak for themselves. Within a few years, test scores that had once been in the single digits rose to 60% proficiency in English and 70% in math. Enrollment climbed. And the debate team didn’t just participate they thrived. Two eighth-graders went on to win the national championship in policy debate, competing against the best in the country.
What strikes me most isn’t just the data or the trophies. It’s what happens when you believe in people’s capacity to think. Honoroff didn’t simply rebuild a school he rebuilt trust. He created a culture where students learn to see problems as opportunities, to challenge assumptions, and to find solutions together.
Imagine if every organization did the same.
Imagine if every leader encouraged debate not conflict, but thoughtful discussion rooted in respect and curiosity. What could your team accomplish if every member approached challenges like those middle-school debaters: eager to listen, ready to reason, and unafraid to explore new ideas?
That’s the kind of culture we build in the Success-Minded Leader programs. We focus on developing leaders who empower others to think critically, solve problems creatively, and act with confidence and compassion. Because when people know how to think not just what to think success follows naturally.
(Watch the 3-minute video below to see this incredible story unfold. It’s a reminder that transformation begins with the courage to teach people how to think and the belief that they can.)
