Leadership: An Overestimated Skill by Angela

Leadership: An Overestimated Skill by Angela - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Some people are not leaders. They have come to accept that fact…but that does not mean that their lives are over. The world will not end, and they will not become destitute because they did not have a leadership class in high school. There are always two sides to the story. Yes, leadership skills can help a high school scholar become more successful-they learn how to communicate effectively and cooperate in a team setting. However, a student can learn all of these skills from different areas of their life. Therefore, leadership skills are not necessary for success.

Productive thinkers have many talents. They can plan their time effectively, stay organized, and remain calm in all situations. However, even a student without the title of “leader” can have these qualities. I am a perfect example of such a fact. I was not in leadership classes or speech, nor did I have a job where I could be called leader. I learned my life skills from my parents. My mother is an outspoken businesswoman who taught me that organization eliminates stress in my life. My father is an educated computer programmer who showed me that remaining calm usually leads to success. They both taught me to manage my time effectively—with their guiding hand, I became an Honors student that is attending college to become a veterinarian. I will be graduating with a rank in the single digits. Out of the 409 seniors that I go to school with every day, I am among the top 10 people to be considered high-achievers…and I didn’t have any formal leadership training whatsoever.

Most colleges look at “leadership opportunities” when reviewing college applications. I may not have been the manager of a major corporation, but with the help of my family and teachers, I succeeded in high school, and got accepted into one of the top colleges that major in veterinary medicine. They recruited me because of my accomplishments, talent, and motivation, not because I knew how to be a leader.