Leadership Skills in a Nutshell by Gabriela

Leadership Skills in a Nutshell by Gabriela - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leadership is a difficult word to define. It can have multiple meanings and represent different things for different people. The first definition of leadership is normally introduced at a young age. In preschool it was an honor for the teacher to assign a child the position of “line leader”. Attaining the duties of leading the class to the lunch room or playground tends to be the first time we are exposed to such an idea.

The next time we are exposed to another stage of leadership is in middle school when the class president is elected for the first time. The class president is typically viewed as a high achieving student, and the honor of being class president comes with the responsibility of demonstrating to fellow peers how a good student should act. Being a role model is an additional responsibility or characteristic of leadership. In this situation the class president is setting an example to his or her peers on the corrects behavior of a middle school student.

In high school yet another characteristic of leadership is introduced. Athletics can be a major part of those four years and being a captain of a varsity team is one of the biggest leadership roles available for a person at this age. The role of a captain is one that incorporates a variety of skills, such as teacher, motivator and advocate. A Varsity sport captain must not only be a role model for the younger players, but also a motivator working hard towards achieving a team goal.

Eventually a leader evolves into a creator of vision as well as motivator. As such, leadership is absolutely a skill that is necessary for college success. Throughout my seventeen years of life and my experience with various leadership positions, I have come to the conclusion that a leader does not necessarily need a large group of followers to lead. It is sufficient that anyone have adequate leadership skills and is able to motivate him/herself and those around them to achieve a goal. A college education consists of perhaps the four most important years of a person’s life, specifically because it is viewed as the start of the rest of one’s life. Motivation is key during this time period. A college education is essential for the average person to be successful in any career, quitting is simply not an option; therefore one must stay motivated. Being a good leader and motivator thus will be vital in college.

Additionally, a good leader will be able to bring people together and collaborate with his/her classmates. College is all about meeting new people and exploring new ideas in effort to discover oneself. Collaboration and the ability to work with others is an essential skill in a college environment, and both qualities of a good leader. Research projects, theater productions, sport games etc. are all examples of events that require good leadership skills in order work well as a team to achieve a goal, and all activities I intend to pursue in college.