Why Leadership Is Overrated by Jessica

Why Leadership Is Overrated by Jessica - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

In today’s society, some things seem to be pushed by schools and colleges so much that simply the mention on the name inevitably causes students to roll their eyes. Questions like “How have you displayed leadership?” and “What can you contribute to our school?” clutter interviews and college applications. Some of these qualities, like leadership, become so built up that more important qualities like work ethic and personal passions become overlooked or are deemed irrelevant by admissions counselors.

Leadership as a quality is fine within itself but to say that all college students must possess and display leadership is in no way a just prerequisite. While the most prestigious universities in the country tend to clutter their acceptance pool with full blown leaders they are neglecting the inevitable problems that come along with their methods. How can students learn to work together if every single one believe he or she must be in charge? The most successful companies do have great leaders among their workers but their staff is also comprised of great followers who are able to adopt the same visions as their leaders and put all their efforts toward achieving the same goal. This outcome would be impossible if leadership continues to be drilled into students at the rate that it is. For instance, how much could be accomplished if everyone tries to take the project in their own direction?

In no way should innate leadership skills be viewed as a poor attribute but this quality is simply not as great as it is deemed to be. Many leaders will surely accomplish great things during their lifetime but so will many followers with good worth ethics and true passions. Colleges should be expanding their lists of qualities they are looking for in potential students because success could never truly be boiled down to one specific trait.