The True Leader by Patrick

The True Leader by Patrick - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Many people consider being a leader as simply the person who tells everybody else what to do. That however is not a true leader. In fact there is not one type of a leader, but many types and all of which are important in order to be successful in college. College prepares people not only for a job/career in their respective fields, but it also prepares them for life. College is an important part of a student's life. It is a time when they grow and become independent. However, a person cannot become truly independent if they are not in control of their own life. A person must become a leader and lead his life in a successful direction, a direction which will lead to happiness and prosperity. But what does it mean to lead? What does it mean to become a true leader? The truth is that there are many occasions in which a person can be a leader and many ways in which a person can act as a leader.

There are two main ways in which a person can show leadership, those being leading by example and leading by voice. A leader who leads by example is a person whose character qualifies them as determined and assertive. That leader wants to take control of the situation and wants others to follow suit. That leader usually wants to do the right thing in order to succeed and shows others that through hard work their goals can be achieved. A leader who leads by example is an exemplary character who is usually quiet but gets all his responsibilities completed to the best of his/her ability. This type of leader is necessary in order to succeed in college because a leader who leads by example will always brighten the atmosphere through possibility. A leader who shows that an impossible task is achievable is a leader who succeeds in making friends, companions, and most importantly the 4.0 GPA.

The other type of leader however, a leader who leads by voice, is just as important in order to succeed in college as is the silent leader who leads by example. A vocal leader takes initiative to explain to those around him what something is and how something should be done. The vocal leader is capable of making connections with people and convincing them to do the right thing or to do something the right way. A vocal leader is also not afraid to ask others and consult with them if they are unsure about something. Not a single person knows all the knowledge on Earth and a vocal leader is able to understand that and more importantly express the fact that if someone else has a better idea, then they should be the leader at the time. How does being a vocal leader assist in college and lead to success? A vocal leader will be willing to ask the teacher for extra help. The vocal leader will ask a question that may seem silly to ask, but asks nevertheless in order to make sure that he/she has the information correct and is not mistaken about a certain topic. That leader is responsible for accuracy as well as speech.

While a leader who leads by example is different than the leader who leads through expressing themselves vocally, the two types of leaders have a lot in common. The two leaders are both assertive, dedicated, and creative. The leader will find the best solution or will make sure that they will find somebody who will help them figure out the best solution to a problem. A leader takes the initiative and always remains positive without being carelessly overconfident. The characteristics of a leader are all positive characteristics and as long as the leader is not a tyrant, then the leader will succeed. The characteristics of a leader are the same as the characteristics that make up a good scholar, college student, and a successful person. That is why it is important to be a leader as becoming a leader is the key to success and a survival tip for a successful college life.