Haley tells young conservatives trying to ‘own the libs’ isn’t ‘real leadership’

Nikki Haley had some advice on leadership for a meeting Monday of high school conservatives — stop trying to “own the libs” online.

The United Nations ambassador and former S.C. governor was speaking at the High School Leadership Summit at George Washington University, a gathering of young conservatives hosted by the nonprofit student group Turning Point USA.

“Raise your hand if you’ve ever posted anything online to quote-unquote ‘own the libs,’ ” Haley asked the crowd in comments reported by the Hill. “The vast majority raised their hands in response, and then erupted into spontaneous applause,” the paper reported.

“Own” is internet slang for beating someone, usually at a computer or video game, and can be used for trolling someone to get an emotional reaction.

But Haley told the young conservatives that kind of behavior doesn’t accomplish anything or show “real leadership.”

“It’s fun and ... it can feel good, but step back and think about what you’re accomplishing when you do this — are you persuading anyone? Who are you persuading?” asked Haley, who was appointed U.S. ambassador to the U.N. by President Donald Trump.

“Real leadership is about persuasion. It’s about movement. It’s bringing people around to your point of view,” she added, according to the Hill. “Not by shouting them down, but by showing them how it is in their best interest to see things the way you do.”

Haley also talked about her role at the United Nations and the U.S. decision to quit the controversial Human Rights Council. She told the students she saw a bright future in them at a time when “leadership is lacking in this country,” the Hill said.

This story was originally published July 24, 2018 at 9:57 AM.