Why Leaders Balance Quick Decisions with Long-Term Goals: A Valley Guardian Event
By: Hailey Wesloski
In our technology filled society, High school students are constantly bombarded with decisions and choices that they need to make in life! The situations come quickly and students must be able to make decisions quickly while also keeping their bigger goals in mind. Leadership is not only about reacting in the moment, it’s about connecting today’s decisions to tomorrow’s success. Helping students to learn how to quickly make good decisions is essential to helping them obtain their long-term goals ins.
At the arcade, decisions come fast. From choosing which game to play to deciding how to spend tokens, students must act quickly. Games like air hockey or racing simulators push players to think on their feet, adapt to surprises, and trust their instincts. These quick decisions matter in the moment, teaching students to handle pressure with confidence. Yet, when tokens run out too soon or points aren’t spent wisely, students realize the importance of pacing themselves and thinking ahead.
We taught the students to ask for help, and learn from those around them to make good decisions. By asking for help and observing those around them, they will understand what to do and how to plan! Long-term goals act like a guide in this setting. Students who plan carefully often save tokens for the games they enjoy most or work together with friends to win bigger prizes. This shows how strategy, looking beyond the immediate, creates better outcomes. Leadership works the same way, fast decisions need to be grounded in vision and purpose.
On September 20th, The Valley Guardians Executive Leadership scholars took part in a workshop centered on decision-making and strategy. There were 51 students who attended the event, 29 of which were VG Scholars. The workshop challenged them to respond quickly to scenarios under pressure, such as making baskets on a time crunch, not getting eaten by a ghost, racing against another team and lastly trying to get the most amount of tickets.
Students shared how meaningful it was to connect the lessons from arcade games to real-life leadership. They saw that leaders who act quickly, but also think about the future, are the ones who inspire trust and create lasting results. The arcade became more than just a fun outing; it became a reminder that every decision, whether in a game or in life, shapes what comes next.
By learning to balance quick choices with long-term goals, high school students are preparing themselves to lead with confidence, vision, and impact. Leadership is not about winning every round but about guiding others toward success that lasts far beyond the game.
The Valley Guardians Leadership Program
The Valley Guardian program is a multiyear coaching program for underserved students in the community. It was created by successful business people in the valley. They got together and formed a non-profit to find ways to fund developmental programs for kids in underserved communities. This program was aimed toward the underserved kids in the valley who have good hearts and have a desire to be successful and be mentored. The kids who are a part of this program have access to all different kinds of services like professional coaches, coaching calls, getaways, leadership education and training workshops, access to professionals in the valley, college and career readiness and more. The Valley Guardian program started with a single school of 6 students, and overtime has grown to 13 schools, 7 districts, and 49 active students. Overall there have been 120 students who have benefited from this program.
The Valley Guardians program offers over thirty online and in person workshops per year. We do many different types of workshops per year including things like arcades, parks, hikes, parties, and online leadership training. Many of the kids who come are not very social and are looking for a place to feel comfortable and be able to meet new people while being themselves. When they come to programs they have a great time. The way we set them up makes kids feel comfortable, whether we ask them what they are interested in doing or set them up to meet new people through social activities at the beginning of each event. The students find they feel connected and accepted through the program.