Leadership by Deana

Leadership by Deana - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

When people think of leadership, they often think of a position of power over other individuals. However, there is much more that goes into leadership than just existing in a position of power over other people. Successful leaders know the difference between power and authority. Power resides in a position. A leader has power because of their rank, title, or position. If a leader relies on power alone, his or her subordinates follow them simply because of their position. They may not admire or respect the leader, and compliance is a factor of duty rather than desire. While power resides in a position, authority resides in a person. If a leader relies on authority rather than power, his or her subordinates follow them because of the person they are. They believe in that leader and want to follow them; not out of obligation, but out of their own free will.
When I take on a leadership position, I do not view myself as a person of power. Instead, I view myself as one who can motivate and influence my group through authority. This approach requires me to use a variety of strategies, such as setting a good example, bringing a positive attitude, and most importantly, listening to those you are leading. I have learned these valuable lessons from many leaders in my life.
In my freshman year, I saw amazing leadership from another swimmer. He attended another local high school but trained with us at Mosley. Despite being from a different school and not serving as one of our captains, he still demonstrated a striking work ethic and leadership. I always viewed him as a great leader, even though he technically did not have a leadership title. I did not realize it at the time, but this was a perfect example of the difference between power and authority. He set a great example by creating a positive, uplifting environment and demonstrating the value of hard work. Seeing his style of leadership greatly impacted the way I view leadership today and the way I have led my swim team for the past three years.