Leadership: A Living, Breathing Force by Camryn

Leadership: A Living, Breathing Force by Camryn - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

One thing that I have learned through both my educational and professional careers is that leadership is not just a title, position, or a tool to boost your resume; it’s a living, breathing essence and force one must embody. There are many traits an effective leader must possess, but I’ve come to realize the most important of these are consistency, integrity, and a willingness to fail. While these aren’t the first qualities people may point out when they think of a leader, I believe these traits make me an efficient leader in all areas of my life.
Consistency and commitment go hand in hand. Flexibility and being responsive to change is a pillar of leadership, however, being a consistent leader that shows up and stays committed to their cause is one of the most important traits of a leader. Inconsistency in a position of power or influence can threaten the initiative and lead to the group’s distrust of the person they’re meant to trust the most. Knowing that the person chosen to lead your group is committed to the purpose of the group is the most reassuring feeling a leader can offer to their group. One excellent leader in my life is the President of the Association of African American Students on campus. She is the physical embodiment of leadership because in all of her ventures and involvement on campus, she makes a commitment to consistency. As a mentee and then leader of AAAS, consistency was key in planning initiatives for the council and the group as a whole. I learned from her that having a group’s trust that I would show up and do my job well was essential in moving forward towards success.
Another way to increase trust a group has in their leader is by prioritizing integrity. An effective leader can recognize when they are wrong. Leaders aren’t immune from mistakes. However, the way a leader responds to a mistake separates them from their peers. Admitting when I am wrong and making the necessary decisions to correct my mistakes have made me a better person and leader.
That being said, failure has been a big fear in my life. I’ve always felt added pressure to succeed in everything I do, and it’s led to me being afraid to make any mistake along the way. However, what I have learned is that failure, especially in a leadership position isn’t anything to be afraid of. In fact, it’s something a smart leader will encourage. In the same way working out in the gym tears and hurts your muscles before protein that you consume builds them back up, making mistakes works your leadership “muscles” and taking the steps to fix them ends up building yourself up. This leads to you becoming a well-rounded and compassionate leader. Giving yourself grace when you make mistakes can allow you to empathize with the people that surround you and give them grace when they make mistakes.
A leader that prioritizes the betterment of themselves is able to effectively lead their team to achieve their collective goals. Prioritizing my commitment to consistency, integrity, and even being willing to fail has made me a better leader and equipped me with the tools to be a successful leader in my community.