Communication Is Key by Asjia

Communication Is Key by Asjia - December 2021 Scholarship Essay

I come from a family that fits the definition of great leadership. My great grandfather was one of the first African American paratroopers in World War II, my great uncle was a Purple Heart recipient in World War II, my grandfather served during Operation Desert Storm, and my mom, Air Force, and dad, Army, are both Veterans. Needless to say, leadership and service before self are core elements of my upbringing. One of the core values of my family has always been centered around leading and making a difference.

I believe that communication is the trait that best describes a leader. Leaders who are effective communicators and are able to motivate others. Good Leaders are able to clearly and concisely explain problems and solutions. Leaders know when to talk and when to listen. Communication is built on a steady flow of verbal and nonverbal exchanges of ideas and information, so the best leaders work on being approachable and involving people from different backgrounds. People readily follow leaders who can clearly explain what they want and expect through written, spoken, and non-verbal communication. Strong leaders are able to connect with people through clear and honest communication.

Effective communication is vital to gain trust, align efforts in the pursuit of goals, and inspire positive change. When communication is lacking, important information can be misinterpreted, causing relationships to suffer and, ultimately, creating barriers that hinder progress. In the alternative, successful leaders can also use communication to guide and motivate others. Everyone goes through tough times and challenges that can cause them to doubt and not believe in themselves. Great leaders have the ability to use communication to motivate people to keep going, believe in themselves, and do their absolute best, no matter the circumstance. I have several people in my life that serve as good examples of successful leaders; my parents, teachers and coaches always motivate me to rise above any challenge and obstacle that I face. They are the definition of great leaders to me.

I demonstrated this quality as a leader when my lacrosse team was playing in the quarter finals of the playoffs against one of our archrivals who defeated us earlier in the season, ending our 18-game winning streak. We were on the road, down 5-1, and some of my teammates began to speak as if it was our last game. The confidence and energy surrounding the team was low. Everyone wanted to win for our seniors, so, as Captain of the team, I decided to remind each and every one of us who we are and what we were capable of, win or lose. We stopped focusing on trying to win and focused on playing together and having fun. In the end, we pulled out an 8-6 victory, our biggest win in program history.

Throughout history, the greatest leaders have also been effective communicators and motivators, able to encourage others to work toward a common goal. This ability to motivate has largely been a result of solid communication skills. Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, two of the most effective leaders in history, approached challenges in different ways, but both excelled at communication.