LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
Definition of Leadership
Leadership is not about holding a title, a position of power, or leading with authority but rather using your influence to support and empower those around you towards a common purpose. One is not simply born a leader, but is a skill that takes a lifetime to shape and develop. Leadership is not a single person or a single moment, but rather a lifetime journey.
Key Principles
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Action is done to make a change, not to gain recognition.
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Leading with compassion, empathy, understanding, and support.
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Leadership is a verb. It is not passive; it requires action.
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Committing to a purpose bigger than yourself.
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Continuously being conscious of your actions, impact, and intent.
As leaders, you can choose comfort or you can choose courage. You can’t choose both.
Evolution Over Time
When I was younger, especially during high school, I envisioned a leader as someone who holds a position of power and influence who was liked, respected, and followed. Leadership was more for getting experience to add to a resume rather than being fully dedicated to the cause. We had a class dedicated for leadership where you had to apply to get in, demonstrating that leadership is not universal, but only specific people are leaders.
Now, my philosophy around leadership has drastically changed through my undergraduate career. Leadership is not a specific characteristic or even person, but lies within everyone. Leadership is not about your own personal gains, but rather what you could do to support others in pursuing and reaching a common goal. It is not what I can gain, but what I can contribute. It is about respect, commitment, empathy, and humility.
As a leader, I want to acknowledge and utilize everyone’s strengths to work towards our common goal. As a leader, I want to support others, I want to empower other’s points of views, I want to take action, and I want to remain humble. As a leader, I want to think critically, love unconditionally, remain passionate in what I believe in, and challenge the status quo.