To conquer with Leadership by Alexandra

To conquer with Leadership by Alexandra - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

To take risks, such as networking with potential employers and completing internships, are all great ways to make the most of one’s college experience. However, an individual must already possess basic communication and strategic skills to juggle classwork while seeking out opportunities to prepare oneself for post-graduation life. Indeed these qualities, which make for a great leader, are necessary for college success.

Leadership skills benefit and set apart any individual who possesses them. George Washington, for example, rallied the troops and gained their loyalty with his refined speaking and listening abilities. In other words, his communication skills separated the General from others. Similarly, Alexander the Great acquired the greatest empire of his period because he listened intently to philosophers he met and gained his men’s trust. Now, college may not be as harsh as the United States during the American Revolution or as brutal as Ancient Greece, however the ability to communicate – which means knowing how to speak and listen – is still essential. To be able to, like Alexander, not only listen in class, but seek out teachers to learn will greatly aid a student grow into an expert in whatever major he pursues. By collaborating and speaking with fellow students, one greatly increases his or her chances of acing every assigned project.

Similarly noticeable in times of war, only leaders that keep official papers organized as they negotiate and collaborate with nations, pull through. In college, the bombs and cannonballs thrown, are replaced by assignments and deadlines. Still, like the leader who strategizes to use troops effectively, the college student must use all available resources wisely to maximize his capability to fulfill his obligations. The ability to collaborate and negotiate with other nations turns into the need to network with professionals and work with teachers and students to succeed in the moment while preparing for the future. Though the situations and stakes differ, the skill set to tackle whatever life throws at a person remains the same.

To conclude, leadership qualities are not simply reserved to war generals and emperors but rather can also benefit students. They teach anyone how to be effective, as well as work as an individual and a member of society. College demands work and collaboration. Leadership skills enable a student to be capable of doing that, and much more.