Effective leadership in college by Megan

Effective leadership in college by Megan - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

We have all been told from young ages, “don't be a follower, be a leader”. As we grow, some take this advice while others become the "followers". There is not anything is wrong with being a follower. In my eyes, we need followers to have leaders. However, that does not mean we shouldn't all strive to be the best we can be. The most wonderful aspect of college is that it brings out the leader in us all.

Moving away from home, and not having eyes looking over your shoulder at your every move, really makes a person grow up fast. This is the point in life that separates the leaders from the followers. There are the people who give up and there are the people that try. College is a challenge, and leadership skills are necessary.

Leadership skills are simply passion, responsibility and yes, following. Believe it or not, great leaders are followers too. A teacher I once had asked me, “What is the difference between a manager and a leader?” I was stumped at coming up with a response. He then told me, “The difference is, the way they motivate the people that work for them.” The followers in life do not want to follow a dictator; they want to follow a leader. That is the key to being a successful leader in college.