Success is about Growing Others by Riley

Success is about Growing Others by Riley - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

As a first year graduate student, a father, and an educator, I have come to understand the importance of leadership. Leadership does not come naturally to all people, and it is possible to be successful without being a leader. However, becoming a leader can add value and depth to your life, and pushing yourself to become a leader, even if you do not have an aptitude for it, will set you up for success in every aspect of your life.

First, I believe a true leader is someone who communicates clearly and understands the strengths and weaknesses of the people around him/her. With these skills, a leader can organize a group quickly into the most efficient and effective body possible. A leader must also be able to form relationships with others. If you create a positive relationship with those you are working with, they will want to follow you because they respect you and know that you respect them.

I am inspired by a quote by Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric. He said, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” I believe that a leader’s value will be reflected by the competence of those he/she leads. When a leader is focused on helping everyone around him/her be successful, that is all the evidence needed to see that he/she is a successful leader. Along with that thought, Ralph Nader said, “I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” As we develop those around us to be successful leaders, then they can teach those around them to do the same. Then, the load is lightened for everyone, and the skills to lead the fullest life possible are shared by all. The idea of competition and the need to keep someone down so you can get ahead is false. To truly get ahead, you have to bring others with you.

As I have put my leadership theories into practice, I have seen the benefits of it in all aspects of my life. I have seen my children lead and serve each other, and our entire family benefits from it. As an educator, I have seen my students take on the challenge of becoming leaders, and they have learned more, and helped more than when they were passive followers. As I begin my master’s program, I anticipate many opportunities to be a leader and build leaders with my fellow classmates. By doing so, I happily anticipate a chain of leadership growing out of my relationships with others, and am optimistic about the future.