Leadership Revelations

When I was younger, I thought leadership translated into running an important meeting in a big city wearing a fancy suit. It was not until recently that I realized these juvenile ideas were far from true leadership.

Scholars, journalists and politicians (and for that matter, bloggers) quarrel over aspects of leadership. Everyone can recognize a person with distinctive leadership characteristics: they are charismatic, intelligent and persuasive. Books, essays and training classes focus on developing leadership skills. Through my college years, I have realized that leadership goes well beyond volunteering to put the PowerPoint together for the group presentation.

Leadership is about stepping outside of yourself. While our generation is inherently concerned with failure (myself included), we often focus too much on our personal advancement.

Throughout my college years, I have done minimal volunteer work. Granted I have volunteered a couple hours here and there each semester and donated money to causes, but that’s where my volunteering and philanthropic work ended. I was engrossed in advancing my studies, my activities, my internship, my job, my work, my blog, me, me, me, me. Of course I cared for the community and environment, but I was so overly consumed with advancing myself that I was blind to advancing the people in need around me. I had a case of Millennial passion and fear of failure to the max. I also wanted to wear that fancy suit.

Plus, I am just some college girl. What can I really do that would help?

It was not until this spring break when I volunteered for a week with families in need that I realized that I can help. We all can help. Sometimes leadership is simply holding a door open for someone. Sometimes it maybe listening to a friend that needs help. Or donating pocket change to a philanthropic cause. Leadership does not always mean being president; anyone can be a leader.

There are so many people in this world that need the able-bodied college student and young professional’s help. There are the homeless and working poor. There are children in Uganda forced to be child soldiers. And there is your next door neighbor who just needs someone to talk to. While the large amount of causes often pulls us in different directions, just remember the little things you can do everyday.

After I graduate in a few weeks, I am going to make volunteering a part of my routine. And still wear that fancy suit.

-Carla