Leading by Example and Integrity by Nathaniel

Leading by Example and Integrity by Nathaniel - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

"Sometimes you have to take a break from being the kind of boss that’s always trying to teach people things. Sometimes you just have to be the boss of dancing," Michael Scott famously said in Season 2, Episode 11 of "The Office." Michael Scott is known to be a humorous character and have a funny style of leadership, but his quote highlights a key fact about leadership: sometimes being a leader is about inspiring and showing those around you rather than simply directing.
Simply put, leadership is the skill of directing a group of people toward a common goal by directing their combined abilities, talents, and energies in that direction. However, there is much more to leadership than just providing direction. A good leader understands the importance of leading by example, demonstrating integrity, dedication, and a commitment to the goal. Leaders are empathetic and can connect with their colleagues on a deeper level to understand their emotions and motivations. Strong communication abilities are crucial for leaders to be able to express their vision and offer criticism.
Personally, accountability and leading by example rank among the highest qualities of a good leader. I believe accountability and leading by example go hand in hand. A leader must always take responsibility for their actions, own up to their faults, and constantly give their best effort towards tasks. This will set an example for colleagues to follow. Leading by example fosters respect and admiration for the leader, making it easier to influence a team. A disrespected leader cannot motivate their team to perform at their highest level.
Alisha Tenbus is a woman in my life who has shown great leadership. Alisha is a physical therapist within the Horseheads School District. This following year, Alisha Tenbus demonstrated strong leadership as she spearheaded an effort to unionize nearly 40 school social workers, social work assistants, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. Despite obstacles and pressure from the district, she remained determined and organized her colleagues to gain recognition as the Horseheads Association of Professional Support Staff and affiliated themselves with NYSUT. Tenbus’s leadership throughout the whole process was inspiring to me. Her dedication and motivation earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues, who followed her lead in advocating for change.
I was greatly inspired by Alisha's leadership even before she started the process of unionizing her staff. In a family with three sons, she set an example for them to follow, modeling cooperation and social skills. She would not ask them to do anything she would not do herself. She was on it whether it was setting the table, planting a bush, or shoveling the snow. As for an example, she would be the first outside to shovel the snow off her long driveway in the winter. Hoping that her respect and leadership by action and example would inspire her sons to approach tasks with similar attitude and determination, she found that indeed they did. I am proud to call Alisha Tenbus my mother.
In conclusion, leadership is about more than just giving orders; it's about inspiring and empowering others through actions and integrity. Alisha Tenbus, my mother, is a real leader that I admire since she demonstrates these traits in both her work and personal life.