Leading
Definition- Influencing and motivating the team while making sure all tasks are completed successfully.
Criteria:
-hard working
-respectful
-positive
-goal-oriented
-wiling to learn
-open-minded
Example- The most challenging leadership position I have ever faced was being named the captain of my high school’s cheerleading squad during my senior year. I was responsible for managing eleven teenage girls, while ensuring that practices and performances ran smoothly.
Earning the respect of a group of girls who are the same age as you is a very difficult task. When I would ask them to do something most of them just stared at me, and if I asked them to do it twice they simply refused because I was being “bossy”. Quickly I discovered that if I wanted to get something done I would have to take the initiative. Instead of repeatedly asking to get the mats out for practice, I would start getting them first and the other girls would then join me. Leading by example helped me gain respect by proving that I was hard working and willing to commit myself to the betterment of our team.
When planning our routines, some team members were often opposed to my ideas, which resulted in very uncooperative behavior. In these situations, I focused on staying positive, and I would ask for their input or ideas to possibly alter the routines. Getting the input of other team members was the best solution for the issue because it strengthened our routines and pleased every team member. Also, the collaborative effort was important to me, because as an elected captain this procedure did not compromise the character admired when I was appointed.
Being open minded and leading by example were two key leadership traits that I learned during my time as cheer captain. Now, I use these specific skills in my current leadership positions on campus and when working with my peers. For example, one organization I use these same traits in is PREP, where I serve as the leadership development executive. In this group I am responsible for teaching nine freshmen how to successfully plan meetings and run professional events. Being able to transfer leadership skills learned from one experience to another is critical in fully developing into an effective leader.
Criteria:
-hard working
-respectful
-positive
-goal-oriented
-wiling to learn
-open-minded
Example- The most challenging leadership position I have ever faced was being named the captain of my high school’s cheerleading squad during my senior year. I was responsible for managing eleven teenage girls, while ensuring that practices and performances ran smoothly.
Earning the respect of a group of girls who are the same age as you is a very difficult task. When I would ask them to do something most of them just stared at me, and if I asked them to do it twice they simply refused because I was being “bossy”. Quickly I discovered that if I wanted to get something done I would have to take the initiative. Instead of repeatedly asking to get the mats out for practice, I would start getting them first and the other girls would then join me. Leading by example helped me gain respect by proving that I was hard working and willing to commit myself to the betterment of our team.
When planning our routines, some team members were often opposed to my ideas, which resulted in very uncooperative behavior. In these situations, I focused on staying positive, and I would ask for their input or ideas to possibly alter the routines. Getting the input of other team members was the best solution for the issue because it strengthened our routines and pleased every team member. Also, the collaborative effort was important to me, because as an elected captain this procedure did not compromise the character admired when I was appointed.
Being open minded and leading by example were two key leadership traits that I learned during my time as cheer captain. Now, I use these specific skills in my current leadership positions on campus and when working with my peers. For example, one organization I use these same traits in is PREP, where I serve as the leadership development executive. In this group I am responsible for teaching nine freshmen how to successfully plan meetings and run professional events. Being able to transfer leadership skills learned from one experience to another is critical in fully developing into an effective leader.