What Does Leadership Mean To Me? by Haley

What Does Leadership Mean To Me? by Haley - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

What comes to mind when you think of the word leader? Some might say their principal at school. Others may say their parents. Webster's Dictionary defines a leader as "one who leads." After participating in numerous leadership roles and experiences, I have learned leadership is hard to summarize.
I entered my Leadership Lauderdale program with a restricted mind. I thought I understood the expectations of leadership and everything it entails. After all, I got into the program, so with that understanding, I believed I was all set to be a leader. All one needed to do was give their opinion and then persuade everyone to follow their dreams. Little did I know there is more to leadership than meets the eye. A leader is more than just someone who gives out opinions. After participating in leadership roles, I have learned that a leader is so much more.
A leader should take into consideration group dynamics. Getting everyone involved and caring for each other's needs is essential. For a project to be the most successful, everyone participating must feel as if they contributed and feel equally valued. A leader must honestly understand who they are, what they know, and what they are capable of. A successful leader should show why they should be followed. By doing this, followers will grow confidence in themselves and their leader. Communication skills are essential when leading a group. A leader is not always the first to have an idea but should be the one who is always seeking out new solutions. For example, a leader can find ways to accomplish tasks while maintaining a positive attitude. However, more than anything else, leaders should have a good understanding of social skills to be communicative with clarity and objectiveness.
With all the qualities of a good leader, choosing someone who has demonstrated leadership in my life is almost impossible. However, one person sticks out. Her name is Libby Davidson. This past year, I participated in my local Distinguished Young Women program. Libby is one of the program's main coordinators. Not only did she demonstrate all the qualities of leadership that I believe qualified someone as a leader, but she taught me many valuable lessons about life that I can now apply to my future. She stuck by my side the whole program, calming my nerves and helping me prepare for my speech. And when I did not win the program, she comforted me in the best way possible. Her leadership skills helped me through this challenging task and showed me different ways of dealing with stress. Considering that, Libby Davidson demonstrated leadership in the best way possible.
Leadership is displayed in many ways. What does leadership mean to me? Leadership means that no matter how difficult the situation or circumstances, a leader can always find a way to push through it.