Folow to Lead by Cameron

Folow to Lead by Cameron - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

In order to be a great leader a person must be able to follow. Often time’s the idea of being a follower has a negative connotation, but I think it depends on the situation. Being a follower, can give a person a chance to observe their leader and get a glimpse at what it takes to be a leader. Following, is important for leaders too because it helps leaders, fully understand what it is to be a follower. I believe leadership skills are essential for college success. As a college student, you may find yourself in a class that requires a group project. Chances are you may be partnered with other students that are not putting in their fair share of work. If this happens, you can not always complain to the teacher or kick the person out of your group, and often times you find yourself being the only dedicated and motivated member of your group. What do you do? You step up and lead. That could entail covering someone else’s part of the project or reorganizing your group to work more efficiently, but you cannot stand aside. This is an instance where leadership is thrust upon you, and experiences such as this, build a person’s leadership capabilities.

Leadership is not just essential for students when it comes to homework assignments, but it’s also essential that college professors exhibit leadership skills. A greater writer by the name of William Arthur Ward once said, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." As a student I have encountered many different teachers and teaching styles, but I have found, leadership to be the quality that helps a teacher stand out. Education is a journey and like any journey you need a map or a guide, and that is a teacher’s job, to guide you. A teacher should be knowledgeable, and have the ability to relate information to students in a digestible manner, but their ability to lead their class is crucial. Teachers like leaders are meant to be inspirational, if a teacher can inspire students to learn more, or achieve, they can raise up their students to strive to build a better present and future. Only teachers that can lead can accomplish this feat. This has all driven me to understand that leadership skills are essential for college success, students and teachers must lead in order to make a difference in not only their own lives, but the lives of others as well.