Are leadership skills necessary for college success? by Morey

Are leadership skills necessary for college success? by Morey - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my college career, I have striven to be a leader in my community. Developing leadership skills is important to bridge the transition to life after graduation and obtaining a career. As a future businessman and manager, the attributes of a leader are important to cultivate during these years. These include: honesty, the ability to delegate, good communication skills, a sense of humor, and commitment to an vision. Whenever there was an opportunity to hone these characteristics, I have taken the occasion to do so. All collegians should try to be a leader in an arena they are interested in to get the experience they need.

Having a strong ethic to be honest in dealing with people and circumstances builds trust and faith in character. This will let colleagues know that your word is true and you can be relied upon. When communicating a vision for the group, an honest leader can hold others to that standard. It is imperative that core beliefs start with the leader.

While some may feel that they are the only one who can get the job done, the ability to delegate tasks to others and trust that they can get the job done leads to confidence and reliance on the team effort. Knowing the strengths of the members of your team and capitalizing on it will lead to a cohesive work and a product in which everyone can be proud. There are many clubs on campus that offer chances to work on a team as well as group class projects.

All the great visions will go nowhere if the leader cannot effectively communicate it to their team. Being able to let everyone know what is to be accomplished and how the outcome will benefit the group can only come from a great leaders. While at college, there are often chances to speak in front of a group and get your message across. The ability to report the messages appropriately and effectively is a skill that can be cultivated on the college campus.

it is always important to have a sense of humor when leading a group. There are circumstances that develop that call for a person to be able to laugh at themselves without losing focus on the task at hand. Every good leader knows when to use humor. College campuses are full of comedy whether in a show or even in the classroom.

The difference between a manager and a leader is commitment to a vision. They need a sense of where they want the group to go and how to steer them in that direction. The college years may be used to mature a person's vision and develop the skills to communicate it to others. If a student takes the opportunities to learn and grow, he or she can come out a leader in their chosen field.

All of these attributes are necessary for a successful college experience. Learning to be honest, delegate, communicate, have a good sense of humor, and commit to a vision will help to give direction to future leaders and instruct them in course conduct. Whether for two years, four years or more, the college student has a perfect environment to become the leader of their community and their future.