Learning the Traits of an Effective Leader by Alexandra

Learning the Traits of an Effective Leader by Alexandra - December 2021 Scholarship Essay

There is not one specific trait that can be used to describe an effective leader. Rather, an effective leader must display a variety of attributes to guide their organization forward. At the top of the list is vision. The leader must see a global picture and be able to effectively communicate the direction of the organization in the future, what the organization is capable of accomplishing, and what resources are necessary to accomplish those goals. This vision must include having an understanding of what is needed even before the organization or the customer understands or knows what is needed. For example, Steve Jobs, who had a very autocratic leadership style, knew what technology the customer needed before the customer knew what technology they wanted or needed.
A leader must also be able to inspire others so that his or her vision can be enacted. Strategic leadership is important as the leader must understand the strengths and weaknesses of the organization to organize teams that work cooperatively and effectively. The strategy of the leader must also be fluid to change course when necessary. Communication is also critical to the success of the leader. The leader’s communication must be authentic and demonstrate empathy in their interaction with the members of their organization. Their communication should involve careful listening with the goal of building meaningful working relationships with the members of their organization, at every level.
In my own experience, I have tried to incorporate those traits in my actions when I have had the opportunity to be a leader. I was born with severe food allergies to milk and eggs. I was extremely lucky to be chosen to participate in a clinical study at Johns Hopkins Hospital that was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. It was my golden ticket to a normal life as the study succeeded and cured me of my food allergies. As a result of my success, I volunteer at the clinic at Johns Hopkins where I was treated to help other patients, sometimes very young children, through their difficult food allergy study. The studies involve ingesting an increasingly large amount of the allergen over an extended period of time. This process is called Oral Immunotherapy (“OIT”). My OIT, one of the first in the world, lasted 900 days. As the participant ingests the allergen, anaphylactic reactions and admissions to the hospital can occur as a result of a reaction to the allergen. When I am in the Johns Hopkins clinic speaking with younger patients, I attempt to communicate the goals of the study is by relaying my experiences and the fears that I overcome to participate and succeed in my study. Effective and clear communication, in an extremely successful environment, is a necessary trait of an effective leader. Also, I try to have the participant envision what their life will be like if they overcome the food allergy. By doing so, I try to have the patient paint the vision of their future, even if the young child cannot yet envision such a life. This is another trait of a successful leader: encouraging people to believe they can accomplish what others have told them cannot be accomplished.
I also routinely speak at prominent golf tournaments, sponsored by Johns Hopkins Hospital, that raise money for food allergy studies. In speaking at the fundraisers, I am trying to lead the food allergy community by raising funds to support food allergy studies all over the country. My primary message in all my speeches is that food allergy OIT is a successful treatment that can cure children of their food allergies. If OIT can be properly funded, OIT can move from limited studies in the hospital setting to large-scale applications in the offices of thousands of pediatricians across the country and the world.
There is no comprehensive list of leadership qualities, all great leaders must work hard to develop their leadership skills. While many leadership qualities are inherent, most if not all can be learned with time and practice. All of us, no matter what age, can successfully lead by carefully communicating an emphatic and clear vision.