An Introduction

There is a very fine line between being a stubbornly loud voice that demands its own way, and one so inspiring others can’t help but follow. Well, maybe that line is a bit thick… Regardless, I know I have drunkenly (with power) toed it quite a few times.

                My ideas about leadership have changed quite dramatically through my transition from high school to college. While I’m nearing the end of my first year at The Ohio State University, I still consider my life in transition. I hope this mentally, emotionally, and morally ambiguous state of my brain allows me to take hold of this course like a child to language during the “sensitive period.” Oops, a little bit of Child Development just slipped out.

                My understanding of my strengths as a leader contributes most to my understanding of leadership in general and my expectations of others as leaders. I can say that a lot of my experience in analyzing leadership has come from Ohio State’s strong dedication to StrengthsQuest (and I mean strong; I've seen the presentation probably five times in the past 7 months). This allowed me to see how people use their strengths to lead in different ways. Personally, responsibility and a desire to achieve truly drive all aspects of my leadership. I find them to be the motivation between my hard work, a yearning for excellence that will eventually lead to the approval of others and myself. I put myself if a position of leadership, formal or informal, because I am confident in my ability to reach a result. I feel an obligation to others lead them to success, sometimes forfeiting my own comfort for that goal.

I can attest that a strong sense of responsibility is important for all leaders because they must feel accountable for the success or failures of the group. I expect leaders in my life to be entirely committed on all activities they take part in, because leading is a choice you consciously make.

                My means of leading, as opposed to my motivation, have to do with my other strengths. I like to collect and then give as much information as I can about a topic in hopes that that will spark an idea or plan of action. I am genuinely interested in the “why,” behind ideas or results, making me slow to accept the opinions of others who don’t fully think through them. This makes me constantly question and try to understand any idea. Unfortunately, my hesitancy towards the plans or ideas of others due to lack of understanding can break down my relationship with another, something detrimental to leadership. Being a stubborn know-it-all at times can be pretty off-putting, I've heard. I also expect others to be just as dedicated and on task as I am at all times and can become easily frustrated with others who are not a task-oriented as I am.

Throughout this course, I hope to garner the skills and experience in building relationships that seems to be most lacking in my own leadership strengths.  Many of the roles I fill, and hope to fill in the future, deserve a respected leader that others want to follow. Whether it is in my position in the Arts Leaders Council, in my job as a resident adviser next fall, or in my future role as an educator, sharpening my leadership skills will allow me to succeed and help others do the same. I’m looking forward to the remainder of the semester!