Leadership is unique to each individual. Leadership contains values and beliefs that when nurtured and reflected upon propel leadership into a higher level that not only functions as a guide, but influences others to change their point of view and actions taken. Leadership is to find a message that one distinguishes as essential to promote the betterment of the world for others. An honest leader conducts movement and shares a philosophy that assists others over themselves. My leadership philosophy has evolved over time to include all of these aspects in being the best leader I can be and in viewing and connecting to  the leadership styles of others. I believe my philosophy of leadership includes following the servant leadership model, where I work to lead and serve the well being of others before myself.

 

My college leadership experiences began with developing personal values as a leader. My personal leadership values are kindness, patience, and honesty. I planned to further develop these values by learning more about how I could be an effective leader. I did this first in the Introduction to Honors class and in the Honors 401 Seminars. I realized in these classes that in order to develop and fulfill my values, I must lead with a goal in mind that I am passionate about. My values and experiences as a leader will not feel genuine; thus, my work with teams have benefited from my loyalty to my values.                                                           

 

An example of my role on a team was in the Honors 401 seminar, Growing the Leader in You. My task was to collect survey results to see how to best represent the number of Honors students who would be interested in an alumni mentorship program. I was part of a larger team of Honors students that committed our time to try to improve the Honors program for future generations in pitching our idea to the Honors committee. All of our tasks on the team mirrored our leadership strengths. Each task was vital in gathering data to present.                                                                

 

Working in team or group settings is where I was able to realize my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. I am excellent at listening to others and taking responsibility for tasks, but at times struggle with offering constructive criticism that is helpful and stepping into the position of needing to delegate tasks. In both HONR 401 Seminars, Growing the Leader in You and Leadership through Social Change, I was able to analyze my StrengthFinder assessment and realize where my strengths truly were as a leader in a way that wasn’t completely subjective to my own thoughts and biases. Acknowledging my strengths makes me confidently strive to improve my weaknesses. My strengths of responsibility, input, intellection, strategy and empathy could be seen in the small team I created with my dance mentee I was able to capitalize on these strengths in how I responsibly made meetings with her and asked for her input on what we wanted to talk about. Our teamwork benefited from our understood roles. 

 

In the HONR 401 class, Leadership through Social Change, in small groups we discussed different leadership models or styles. I observed that the servant leadership model was a successful model for me to follow that was structured around my leadership values and is effective in bringing about social change in its focus on helping those in need. In working toward a common goal with a group, my learning community, Leadership and Civic Engagement, participated in Maverick Day of Service on campus. At this particular event, I tapped into my servant leadership style and my strength in responsibility to buckle down and get the job done. Even if it was menial work, I made sure to clean the area that best that I could. I tapped into others abilities to have fun while we were cleaning to make the time pass faster and to enjoy working together as a group for a good cause.                              

All of my leadership experiences from campus and the community mirror my leadership values and my leadership style. I have used this personal theory within campus as I continue to take on leadership positions (Language Partners Program and Honors Peer Advising). I want to be of some help to others above anything else. When I lead, a positive experience comes of it, and I hope anyone I have the chance to lead will also be affected. My personal theory of leadership has evolved greatly in my undergraduate career. I know now that I have all the tools I need to be a motivated leader. I now view leadership positions as opportunities that are meant for everyone. My personal philosophy of leadership is that a leader should first and foremost serve others. In my future career as a dance teacher, I hope to instill in my students that they are leaders of themselves, others, and the future. Leadership is not about the need to be powerful, but the desire to make a difference. As an individual, I hope to carry this philosophy as my own personal leader and as a member of any team.

 

Leadership does not stand solitary in its understand and development, the inclusion of research and global citizenship into my broadened knowledge of leadership. I lead when I conduct research when I investigate topics that fascinate and call me to make changes to current or perceived understandings of a topic. Leadership also leads me to  expand my mastery and skills when speaking with someone with a developing comprehension of the English language or in studying or traveling to new countries across the globe. Leadership involves taking the values and beliefs I attain and transferring them to other competencies, applying the leadership philosophy that not only enlarges my worldliness within these areas, but guarantees that  I serve and assist to improve the world of others that I am passionate about. With the assistance of my experiences in the honors program, I believe my future as a leader is bright.

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