Leading a Life to Lead Others by Jacquelyn

Leading a Life to Lead Others by Jacquelyn - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

I think that in order to be a successful college student, one does need to have leadership skills. Leadership, as defined by Webster's dictionary, is: "a position as a leader of a group, organization, etc." I do agree that this is a correct way to describe what leadership is, but when I define a leader I have one more thing to add. I think a leader needs to be able to not only lead other people, but also be able to lead themselves, in a positive way throughout their life. Also a leader needs to make sure that everyone they are leading (including themselves) feels valued and their thoughts are always considered. Being a leader is so much more than just having people follow you.

I believe that in order to be successful in college, and throughout one's life, a person should be able to lead themselves the best life they are able to. Before a person can be able to organize others, and put their ideas on other people, they must first make sure that they themselves are organized and are sure of their own thoughts. It makes it nearly impossible to be able to have control over a group, or let alone one other person, if the leader does not have themselves under control. College is a very stressful time in many people's lives, and sometimes it can be very hard to keep all of one's classes, friends, and activities organized, but it is a very crucial part in being a successful student and leader.

In college students are constantly working with others, whether it's for a group project, or a club activity, and I do think that it is important for people to be able to lead the groups they are in, and I also think it is very important to be cautious with how they are leading others. What makes a great leader of a group is not bossing everyone around and telling them how to do things, it's leading with their own ideas, but also being very open to the rest of the group's ideas. And it’s important to make sure that everyone is included. I think this will not only help them in college, but in their careers, and in the rest of their lives. Whether it be leading a business team, or being a parent and leading a family, learning how to use one’s own ideas along with everyone else’s is an extremely helpful skill.

Overall, I think leadership skills are necessary for college students. I also believe that they are important for everyone to have in order to have a better, more successful life overall. College is a time for learning, and for a growing number of people, it is their last big step until they reach the "real world". So even if someone doesn't start out college as the ideal leader, ready to head every project, group, and activity they are part of, it's all right. Being in college is a time for people to gain and polish their leadership skills, first with themselves and then with lead others.