Leadership Skills, Necessity or Not? by Savannah

Leadership Skills, Necessity or Not? by Savannah - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

When going to college there are many things that one may need. One could need letters of recommendation, residency, funds, motivation and many other things. However, is leadership one of these necessities? Many would argue that it is, while others argue against that. Values that are needed to succeed in college include motivation, determination, action, organization, accountability, the ability to prioritize, and passion. Leadership is a great quality, but initiative is far more important. Without taking initiative no one would get anything done regardless of being are a great leader. Being a leader can propel someone very far in life, but what is leading worth if that person does not lead their own life because they have become so lost in leading others?

Being determined and passionate about schooling can make the experience so much more enjoyable than simply going along for the ride. Being organized and keeping priorities straight will surely garnish success. Holding schoolwork and all that one is working their best to achieve must matter more than parties and a social life. Success comes at a price, one must really want and work for what they wish to achieve. There is a quote that reads "The best become the best because they give up what others will not." Simply having leadership won't make any person even the slightest bit more successful than the next if one does not apply themselves and do the very best that they can.

There will be many challenges throughout life, having someone to help as a guide is great, but "You cannot help those who will not help themselves." A person is the only one who is truly capable of doing great things for themselves and their future. Allowing others to help as well as putting in personal work, time, and effort themselves can achieve absolutely incredible feats.

The only leadership skills that are truly necessary for succeeding college are the skills that one uses to lead themselves throughout their life. Helping others and guiding them is a very important part of being human. However, one must help themselves and lead their own self to be truly successful not only in college, but in all aspects of life.