Assignment 1: My Leadership Philosophy

To me, it is important that you give back what you have gotten from people around you, your community, and your school. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to help others, meet new people, and also learn new skills. In one of my volunteering experiences I was able to not particularly, learn but build on my leadership skill. Leadership to most, is an arbitrary term used to define a person’s ability to direct a group of people. But what most don't know is that, leadership is not only one type of person, and the traits of leaders differ depending on each person as well. However, even with this being true, all leaders better their environment and maintain a positive environment in which makes working in a team more efficient. One example of leadership and it’s traits accompanying it as well, would be when I partook in a final exam review for psychology at Houston Community College and helped college students prepare for the exam.

My definition of leadership is to be able to support, motivate, and inspire a team to accomplish any goal at hand. I have first hand experience in the leadership role. I have been involved in group and team related projects for the majority of my life. For example, I have been on a dance team for the past eighteen years. During those years, I was a part of the University of Monroe’s Hawkline. Also on campus, I am involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Being involved in those groups, I have been able to learn from others about what it means to become a better leader. Being a leader is a full-filling process, knowing that I am guiding others to accomplish our goal together. Currently, I am in the process of becoming a member

Being a leader is no easy task. A person needs to be able to overcome their own obstacles if they want to be able to help others overcome theirs. My ability to be a leader is still not fully flushed out due to the fact that even though I can overcome my own struggles/problems, it's much more difficult for me to try and lead others past their's. This is why I am very interested in the Leadership Program. Austin is a huge city but unlike many large cities, its people prefer to work together, they aren't big fans of the "every man for himself" ideology. That of course means that the city and university themselves will have countless opportunities for me to try and smooth out the rough edges of my leadership skills. But I

¨If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.¨ - John Quincy Adams. I admire this quote because I feel like it captures the essence of leadership perfectly. A leader to me is someone who: helps themselves and others, always tries their hardest, never gives up on anyone or anything, takes chances on people and who is genuine in their actions and intentions. I appreciate that leadership is the type of class were you can express your thoughts and ideas, as well as help those around you and make important decisions that matter. I want to be President of the Sophomore class because I want the responsibility and the challenge of trying to make not only our class but all of leadership better.

I define leadership as the ability to seek out and empower others to influence their generation and society for the greater good. A leader is a mentor. To me, a leader is someone who helps themselves and others to do the right things. They are people who build an inspiring vision of the future, motivates and inspires people to engage in that vision. They lead and work with others so that it is effective at achieving the vision. Leaders also set directions. They practice in the act of planning things out and leading a group/organization. Leaders have high management skills to guide people to a successful future, in an efficient way. Leadership is also the ability to see a problem and be the solution.

What does it mean to be a leader? Do you look at strong political figures, or humble community organizers? Do you look to glamorous movie stars, or to brilliant scientists? Would you say these people are leaders in what they do?

To be a leader in today’s society, in my opinion, one must possess genuine abilities that empower and strengthen those they wish to lead or mentor. The idea that an individual is born with the skill set and talents of someone that has spent the majority of their life “evolving” through priceless experience is both extremely farfetched and a bit unbelievable. However, throughout my own experiences, I have seen others achieve leadership positions through training and or personal development. Moreover, I am sure that there are some “would be leaders” that have a natural talent for leadership but I use the term “some” lightly. Research has shown that the qualities of a leader are not necessarily tied to one or the other but leaders have shown

I believe that I'm good in coming up with optimizing and innovative solutions. I feel good when I learn something new. I like when I can do something in a new way. I believe I have leadership skills. I’m emotionally stable and will remain calm under difficult situations. I can manage people with different personalities and can encourage them for improvement.

I believe some people are born with leadership tendencies, while others are thrust into positions and develop leadership abilities over time. I have been fortunate to be in environments where individuals in leadership capacities have exhibited both contemptible and admirable leadership traits. By fortunate, I mean I have gained wisdom from all of those experiences which have aided in the development of my leadership skills. Characteristics such as abusing power and making decisions which are egoistic and unethical are not traits I aspire to possess.

My definition of leadership is leading by example. Setting the pace and guiding from the front. Keeping your hand on the pulse of your people with open lines of communication and clear expectations. Ensuring all needs are met from the office paperwork, work space, and the family dynamic. Wherein you create an environment for success as your people are trained, equipped, and motivated to perform at their very best. Leadership influences during my career are good as BMCM Steve Hearn embodied all that is required of a leader. Steve was authentic and personable. He allowed people to get close and yet pushed them to be their best as he would speak to your strengths and weakness. His skills were unmatched yet he gave me a sense of purpose, buy in and belonging. Steve applied patience to help me get the basics of a specialty area that has made me very successful.

I have been a leader in the retail industry for well over 12 years (not counting my part time positions with Target for 6 additional) and I have never been tasked to think about past leaders that have shaped my leadership style. I have certainly never reflected on how those personally close to me have done so as well. Thinking about that now, I can see a correlation between who I am today and past influences in my life. When I think about who has had the most impact on who I am as a person today, not just as a leader, my mom is the first person I think about. At an early age my parents divorced and my mother took on the responsibility of raising 3 girls all on her own. We went from a family of 5 living in a 4 bedroom house with a huge backyard

A leader’s role is to guide, motivate, and lead people towards an accomplishment. As the eldest sibling it’s utterly clear I had to be the leader in our day to day lives. I’m not quite certain I motivated any of my siblings in my case but I know for sure I guided and led them towards a better life.

Over the years as a student body, as individuals and as young adults we have been presented with the question, ‘what is a leader?’ personally, I find the answer constantly changing. In respect to the continual growth of my understanding of people, the world and myself; what defines a leader to me evolves based on the experiences and individuals I encounter. An enormous contributor to my concept of leadership has been the St Hilda’s environment and our our motto of Non Nobis Solemn. It seems that no matter how the definition may expand and evolve, there are certain qualities and beliefs which are recurrent and remain at the foundation. It is my understanding that I can bring forth a number of these idiosyncrasies as an individual and possibly,

“Volunteers are not paid--not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless” (Into The Wild). As the quote mentions, volunteers do not get paid, but they serve for others that are in need and the value is worth much more than money. Life is not always about wealth. Time is valuable too and if a person spends a little time off of their phone to help a great cause, it could save many lives or even lead to a bright smile. In leadership class this semester, I have taken time out of my busy schedule to aid others happiness, which pleases me in the end. Reflecting upon my experiences, I have used three main standards of a leader such as engaging in strategic planning, facilitating productive group process, and showing initiative.

Leadership is not something that you inherit. Leadership takes self-commitment, and dedication to obtain. There were many people, as well as situations in my life that made me want to become a better leader. This personal self-commitment to being a leader is why it is my favorite thing.