Graphic created by Evan Brooks using Wix.
The definition of leadership is something we find and define for ourselves, molding the word around our views of life and success. Leadership is also a topic that is surrounded by an endless supply of theories. These theories try to pinpoint what it means to be a leader and what the standard definition of leadership should say.
I have been fortunate to hold several leadership roles, including President of the Student Government Association at Bucks County Community College. In those roles, I have created and continue to form my own definition of what it means to be a leader and display leadership qualities.
I would be remiss in saying that leadership is easy, because it is anything but. There are times of extreme gratification, just as there are times of annoyance and frustration. A leader is someone that steps up to the plate, is willing to guide others towards a goal and is able to keep their own wants in line.
Leadership, on the other hand, is a set of ideals embodied and skills utilized in the name of accomplishing the task at hand. Anyone can be a leader, just as anyone can be taught leadership qualities and tools to use. Neither of the two are impossible to become or embody, yet it is sometimes said that not just anyone can be a leader, or that leadership qualities are born into a person, both of which are false.
In an article published by Champlain University, it is stated that “leadership does not belong to those at the top of the organizational hierarchy, nor does it only apply to people who have what we would commonly consider the qualities of leadership (an outgoing personality, for example). It’s also important to note that though we often refer to leadership as a singular skill, in reality, it’s an accumulation of skills (most of which can be developed through experience and training) that are uniquely influenced by an individual’s personality and background.”
https://online.champlain.edu/blog/top-qualities-of-a-great-leader
If there is only one lesson learned from this article, it is that leadership and the skills that make a leader can all be learned. Like anything, it takes time and focus, but what are some of the basic skills to learn? Three of some of the most important attributes related to leadership that I have found are vision, attitude and communication.
Being able to visualize the end goal and how your team will accomplish it is imperative to being a leader. If you can see how all the pieces will eventually fall into place, then there will be little room for worry during the leadership of your group. Having a vision means planning out the project at hand, which may mean combing through each detail and assessing the resources available to you.
Next is your attitude, because your mood and expressions will set the tone for the entire group. If you are having a bad day, it takes strength to move forward and past the negativity, which makes it all the more important to approach each moment of the day with a new outlook. If you enter a project excited, your teammates will work to match you and hopefully provide the highest level of output.
Lastly is communication, the make-or-break item on most everyone’s list. Communication takes time and a real want to listen to everyone involved, because when everyone feels heard, they will return the favor when you speak. When leading, it is often best to let others speak first on an issue, then make your opinion based on what was said. While leading may mean to pave the way, a leader knows to listen before speaking.
So, anyone can be a leader and, and anyone is able to learn the necessary leadership skills to be successful. It does take time and focus, like much everything else, and some skills you can work on right now are vision, attitude and communication.
Evan Brooks is a third-year Business Management major with minors in Economics and Civic and Professional Leadership. EB916132@wcupa.edu