The Ability to Learn Leadership by Rebecca

The Ability to Learn Leadership by Rebecca - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

I do not believe that having developed leadership skills are necessary for college success, but I am certain that the ability to cultivate leadership skills are crucial for any college student who wishes to unlock his or her full capability. To understand my belief, it must first be asked what the purpose of a college education actually is. Some might say that earning a degree is the only way to get a job in the real world; others would point out that college is the time in a student’s life where they must have fun before they actually start their lives. Granted, these views are at opposite ends of the spectrum and there are many opinions that fall in moderate zones, but here is how I see it: the purpose of a college education is twofold - it both equips students to reach their fullest possible potential and gives learners the tools they need to become the next generation of leaders in whatever field or degree they choose to pursue.

That being said, not everyone is a natural-born leader; as William Shakespeare put it, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Some command attention as soon as they step foot in a room while others are considered wallflowers, and this diversity is a direct result of the uniqueness in talents and mannerisms that allows the world to function properly. Therefore, having leadership skills going into college is not the most important thing simply because this ability can be developed. If a man has no drive or motivation to scale a mountain, climbing gear will do him no good. In the same way, if a student has no desire to become a leader, then higher education can only do so much in that student’s life. “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice,” as Brian Herbert so eloquently noted. All have the promise to become the forerunners and innovators that will shape tomorrow, but not everyone has the unstoppable determination to see these possibilities to the end. Anything is possible when a human being says he or she will not give up; there is no obstacle – money, background, stereotype, etc. – that can stand in the way of an individual or group with resolve. Learning is a mindset, and learning to be a leader is a process that none have mastered. Therefore, leadership skills should be encouraged and pursued through a college education so that by the time students graduate, they can go out to change the world from their academic success.