A "Coachable" Leader by Wesley

A "Coachable" Leader by Wesley - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

My football coach recently wrote a letter of recommendation referring to me as the “team leader.” Will that reference help my prospects for acceptance into colleges and scholarships? I am sure it will. More important however, is the question at hand: Is my success in college dependent upon my leadership skills? The answer is both no and yes.

It has been said that “everything rises and falls on leadership.” On the other hand, “followship,” to coin a term, is of the utmost importance as well. If a team does not follow the coach, will the coach be successful? If soldiers do not follow their commanding officer, will the officer be successful? Absolutely not! This principle applies to one’s success in his pursuit of a college education.

Most people are not leaders. Does this mean that most people cannot be successful and benefit fully from a college education? Keesler Air Force Base is a training base on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Young enlisted men and women of the lowest ranks in the Air Force are assigned to Keesler to learn skills necessary for United States to fulfill its mission. If they are successful they move on to careers in the Air Force and beyond to civilian life. They are not leaders, they are followers – yet they are successful.

Thus it is in terms of a college education. A student is in college to learn the skills necessary for a successful life. Any student, regardless of whether they are a leader or a follower can achieve success in education.

The answer, therefore, is no. Leadership skills are not necessary for success in college. As a matter of fact, leadership skills could be a hindrance to success. Among the traits my coach looks for in team leaders is the attribute of being “coachable.” My coach inadvertently adds to my thoughts on the question at hand. I have heard my parents say, “If I knew now what I knew when was eighteen I would be a genius.” Yes, indeed, some of my age consider themselves “above their masters,” as Jesus spoke of in the New Testament. Such pretentiousness could be arrogance or a manifestation of uncultivated leadership skills. If such a student does not recognize they are a student who is “not above their master,” they could very well jeopardize their success. Even if the student is a “born leader,” he must be a follower as he is under the tutelage of the professor.

Are leadership skills necessary for success in college? No. Yet, yes. Solomon said, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Solomon was the most learned man of his day. Kings and Queens came from far away domains to hear his wisdom. In spite of his knowledge and wisdom, in his old age, he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes describing his life as having been lived in vain. Indeed, he was like a broken down city without walls. From Solomon we learn that leadership is necessary for success in college.

I am not referring to the leadership of others, but to the leadership of self. A student must lead himself to overcome the propensities of human nature that resist paying the price of discipline, study, excellence, and submission to gain an education. A degree indicates one has met the requirements of an institution of higher learning; it does necessarily indicate one has received an education. An education is gained when one is able to benefit from, apply, and increase what he has learned from others. The skills of leading oneself are necessary for success in college.