Lead to Succeed by Kathy

Lead to Succeed by Kathy - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

When we were little, at kindergarten graduation, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. Answers ranged from astronaut, to fashion model, to president, to a president who models in space. As we grew, our answers continually morphed into things like doctors, teachers, and firefighters. Now, as I approach the end of my high school career, I will be asked the same question. Regardless of what I say, one thing will never change: I will need leadership to get there. The path to success contains many road-blocks, but self motivation and the ability to lead through difficult situations is absolutely essential to finding success in college, and furthermore, to make an important difference in the world. However, leadership itself can mean different things. Definitions range from “... having a vision, sharing that vision and inspiring others to support your vision while creating their own." – Mindy Gibbins-Klein, founder, REAL Thought Leaders to "... stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risk to create reward." – Katie Easley, founder, Kate Ryan Design. In other words, a leader is not one who leads large groups of people and bosses them around, but instead, the term “leadership” means something much broader. Leadership can be quite, loud, bold, shy, courageous, discreet, careful, energetic, humble, patient, playful, polished, precise, profound, rational, or selfless, the list goes on and on, but one thing remains constant, a leader must be able to stick up for his or herself and others who cannot defend themselves.

Because leadership can mean so many things, there are an abundance of ways to express it on a college campus. For example, one day, showing leadership might be taking the initiative to sit with someone who is all alone in the dining hall, and the next day it might be stopping somebody from making a regrettable choice. Regardless of where or how it occurs, one of the most important parts of leadership is doing what is right, and encouraging others to do the same. Leadership does not only affect those around you, but also helps ensures self growth and change, for the better. That is why leadership is so essential to success in college. Being a leader encourages the development of strong morals, critical thinking, and an inert sense of empathy for others, traits the world is in desperate need of. Leadership is dynamic, which in turn, creates individuals who are able to understand and think in a dynamic way, an essential skill in today’s ever-changing society. Regardless of where, how, when, or why, the development of leadership skills is unequivocally vital to the well being of one’s self, and of those around them.

Since the beginning, we have all been planted like little seeds, watered, cared for, and given plenty of sunlight, but in the end, each seed must learn how to grow on its own and take the initiative to sprout into a stunning flower. Graduation is a new chance to stop following, and start leading, a chance to grow my own petals and use them to find success. Leadership can be a thunderous shriek, or a quiet whisper, but in the end, leadership is doing what is right, no matter how hard, and sticking up for others, no matter the cost.