Session, 6, Week 4
Oftentimes we think of leadership as the loud person with the microphone in front of a crowd. But what if leadership is actually more like engineering? What if it means watching what works, noticing what doesn’t, and choosing to build something better with that information? This week, across all three studios, leadership wasn’t just a title held by a “Queen” or a Mayor—it was the groundwork behind every breakthrough, every business deal, and even a small-scale revolution.
In the Spark Studio
The Spark heroes spent the week exploring the combination of physics and persistence. They learned about engineer-turned-cartoonist Rube Goldberg, then applied those concepts to create their own chain-reaction machines.
We even took it a step further by trying to create a Rube Goldberg machine using our own bodies! We have observed that when a learner gets an idea and is determined to see it through, they naturally reach out to others who can help bring that vision to life. In the Spark Studio, leadership looks like a shared discovery; as heroes work together to solve problems, brand-new friendships are born through that side-by-side collaboration.
The way they build their community was put to the test during Freedom Appreciation Day. When the Guide turned into a dictator – “Queen” – the Sparks had to decide how to respond. At first, calling her “Your Majesty” was funny. But when she falsely accused people of crimes and commandeered belongings, the laughter stopped. Leaders began to rise. They had been quietly noticing this new system and how to get their freedoms back. They revolted against the queen and joined a rebellion to fight for their rights back. They used their words to one another to make allies and even got some Fire Studio heroes to join them in protesting. The following day the Sparks were very happy to have their guides back.
By the time they learned about Alexander Calder and the engineering of balancing wire mobiles, they already knew a lot about the delicate balance of power.
In the Fire Studio
As the realization sunk in that this week was the final “normal” scheduled week for core skills, heroes responded in many ways. Some dug in with record-level focus, some dove into collaborative exploration, and others put the finishing touches on their Delta Studio pitches.
Freedom Appreciation Day arrived as a surprise, serving as a visceral lesson on why the Bill of Rights exists as a safeguard against the overuse of power. As the “Queen” disregarded those freedoms, the studio split: some heroes enjoyed being allies to the crown, while others chose rebellion. As we reflected, many were surprised to find how productive they could be with limited freedoms. We had a great discussion about how we could bring the things we loved about that structure into the studio using hero leadership rather than a “Queen,” and everyone was especially happy to regain their “right to bear arms”—even if those arms were just paper and foil creations from the origami table!
We also saw leadership show up in the quietest, most natural ways when a shadowing hero joined the studio. Within minutes, heroes were welcoming him in—inviting him to games, running at lunch, and even handing him money to shop at the BizTown Bazaar. It was amazing to see three typically reserved heroes step up to lead the way, touring him through silent core skills and encouraging him to try challenges in Journey Tracker. It wasn’t directed; it just happened. That’s the kind of leadership that stands out most: the act of noticing someone else and helping them feel like they belong. (The pictures below are of Creator Time and Civ)
In Week 4 of our BizTown Quest, leadership was on full display as we announced job hires and swore our Mayor into office. We discussed how a Mayor may influence the culture, but it’s the citizens using their freedom who truly build the community. During “Mayor May I,” citizens were rewarded for choosing to build that culture. Each day, CEOs held business meetings to listen to employee ideas on inventory, pricing, and advertising. As families continued purchasing with earnings on Thursday, our community really came to life with a car repair shop, a mobile vet, a grocery store, and more.
We ended the week with a launch about a team climbing a mountain. One hero pointed out that true leadership isn’t just about reaching the top; it’s about turning around to lift others up so everyone succeeds. Whether it was a CEO managing a squad or a hero offering a small reminder to a friend to finish a challenge, we saw that leadership is a choice we make moment by moment to build something together.
In the DELTA Studio
The DS heroes immediately knew something was coming on Tuesday when they walked in to find their chairs in uncharacteristic, straight rows for the morning launch. After discussing the Bill of Rights, the Guides proceeded to simulate what life might look like if those rights didn’t apply. We didn’t let heroes assemble or talk back; we took them to “jail” (a taped-off section of the floor) without a trial, sat in their chairs, and even searched and seized their property.
While the Guides were demonstrating tyrannical leadership, the heroes found their own ways of leading. Some formed rebel factions committed to fighting for freedom, others formed a “mafia” group taking bribes from either side for their own gain, while others chose to stay focused on their work despite the chaos. By 10:00 AM, the tension (and actual fighting) between tyranny and rebellion reached a peak, and we decided to call it quits to debrief. It was a fascinating insight into the social dynamics of a group when freedoms are taken away.
Beyond the drama of the rebellion, we saw leadership in the quiet, steady moments that define the Delta culture. Wednesday blurb meetings provided a beautiful example of this as the Deltas mentored Fire Studio heroes preparing to pitch to the DS. The Deltas don’t “get” anything for doing this; they are simply willing, kind, and believe in helping others succeed.
We saw that same spirit of “showing up” on the kickball field. Heroes self selected into two different groups based on experience with kickball and everyone participated – even those who had never played before. It was inspiring to listen to the “new to kickball” group teach and encourage one another.
Leadership even showed up during a dispute over Capture the Flag. After an argument the day before about rules in the back of the school, one hero suggested moving the game to the front, turning a frustrating moment into a much more fun experience for everyone.
Whether it was leading out in launch activities, problem-solving in their Quests, or giving honest feedback about their participation in Civ activities, the Deltas are learning a vital lesson: leadership is about the choices every individual makes to build and protect the culture of the studio. They are discovering that when a system breaks or a game falls apart, a leader isn’t just the one with the loudest voice, but the one who has the bravery to propose a solution, vote for a solution, include a peer, help a peer, or hold the group accountable to the standards they’ve set for themselves.
From the delicate balance of a rube goldberg machine to the high stakes of a studio-wide rebellion, this week proved that culture is not something that happens to us—it is something we build together. Whether it was the quiet hospitality of a hero welcoming a stranger or the courage to give feedback or suggest a new idea, we saw that true influence doesn’t require a microphone. It simply requires the eyes to see a need and the heart to do something about it. Heroes teach us that a community is only as strong as the individual leaders willing to invest in it, one moment at a time.