As President Obama once said, “Maybe you could be a mayor, a senator, or a Supreme Court justice, but you won’t know until you join the student government or debate team.” Debate provides students with a powerful set of skills that extend far beyond the classroom and shapes future leaders across various fields. Notable figures like Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton attribute much of their leadership acumen to their debate experiences, demonstrating the lasting impact of this extracurricular activity. A recent Forbes article, “How to Find the Millennials Who Will Lead your Company,” emphasizes that debate experience is a common attribute among future leaders. Through activities like critical thinking, quick analysis under pressure, and persuasive communication, debaters develop skills that are highly sought after by employers and essential for personal and professional success.
Academically, a New York Times article, “Everything You Need to Know About the New SAT,” highlights that the revised SAT focuses on analyzing complex arguments, a skill debaters excel in. Their capability to quickly assess and respond under pressure aligns perfectly with the test’s analytical demands, making them well-prepared for its challenges. Through debate students examine both sides of an issue as it requires evidence-based reasoning, teaching students to conduct thorough research and critically assess sources. Through this process, students develop strong analytical skills, learn to identify weaknesses in opposing arguments, articulate their own ideas clearly, and evaluate diverse perspectives to win in a debate round, classroom discussion, political conversation, or written essay. It equips students with essential knowledge needed for success in the modern world. According to Noah Webster Educational Foundation article, “The Hidden Importance of Speech and Debate” of students who participated in speech and debate while in school – 36% of participants see an increase in their reading test scores, 87% improve their analytical skills, 100% participants show an increase in interest in their classes leading to 90% obtaining a graduate-level college degree and 15% are top-ranking executives in their corporations in the future.
Many successful leaders, from policymakers to business executives have some background knowledge in debate, suggesting a strong correlation between debate experience and leadership potential. In essence, whether students are in a classroom or later in the boardroom, debate teaches them to discuss issues with civility, cultivates intellectual curiosity and empowers them to confidently advocate for their beliefs, paving the way for success in academics and contribute to more informed, strategic decision-making in the future.
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/mediaresources/PreparedSchoolRemarks.
https://nwef.org/2022/02/07/the-hidden-importance-of-speech-and-debate/.
