A few years ago, I was chosen as an Officer in my Marching Band as a Sophomore (an atypical age to become Leadership). Before our season officially started, the rest of my Leadership team and I attended a two day leadership camp at one of our states best colleges. Previous to this camp, I was excited, but had an initial nervousness; all I knew about leadership were the examples set upon me by my predecessors. Most seniors. Most at a level that I couldn't imagine attaining.

I've been a Section Leader for two years now, and it's been one of the most rewarding tasks of my life. Now, I haven't been around that long, but I can clearly see the effect this camp had on me. I've had the chance to try out these tips on many occasions, and I can only imagine how long it takes the average person to garner this type of knowledge over the years, through fails and missteps, only coming across things that actually work every blue moon. Anyway, here's a compilation of those tips.

1. This is more than a team, this is a legacy.

A lot of the most important things I learned from the leadership camp were observations that I made from the speakers. One teacher for instance, received so much respect from his students by demanding it of them, in a way that said, this is more than a team, this is a legacy, that demands everything from you if you want anything to gain in return.

2. Hard work pays off.

Collectively, from all of the speakers, I learned that, to have a good band it's imperative that everyone realize that band is more than signing yourself up to do a routine and be done with it. The students in the band have to come to the realization that all of the hard work that they put into band is enjoyable once they realize the work they're doing is paying off every second.

3. "People gravitate towards those who validate their choices."

This is heavily tied into positive peer pressure and #4. In instances like going to a comedy show, a jokes’ success is determined by a small few, if a group of people think a joke is funny and laugh about it outright, chances are, the rest of the audience will join in. However, if no one in the audience takes the initiative to laugh first, too much time may go by and the joke ends up failing. That's why leadership and peers have to encourage trying hard, if we do it, eventually it will seem like it was everyone's idea.

4. Create a strong environment.

Create an environment in which it is socially acceptable to make the right choices. This was the best token of knowledge from the leadership camp; in an environment where striving to do the best is not only expected, but dare I say, normal everyday practice, there is no where to go but up.

5. Understand humility.

There is an important lesson to be gained in humility, which is why you must hold a mirror to yourself as often as you can, so you can look at yourself critically and see if you are actually progressing.

6. Positive reinforcement is always far more effective.

When someone messes up, rather than pointing out "You did that wrong," find an effective way to get across to them that there is a correct way to do whatever it is that they did wrong, and then when they get it right, congratulate them so that they remember the thing they did right rather than the thing they did wrong.

7. Don't get too comfortable.

There was a frog that was once placed in a pot of warm water, it was so comfortable there, that when the water began to heat up it didn't try to escape (you can figure out the rest). The water was a metaphor for power and ego, and how you should never get too comfortable holding a position of power because it will ultimately destroy you.

8. Be kind.

If you have to choose between being right and being kind. Be kind. You get many chances to be right, but one chance to be kind.

9. Conditions That encourage participation.

Provide an appropriate challenge.

Make it safe to participate.

Encouragement.

Provide a vision for the future.

10. The Five kinds of followers.

1. Isolates: Those who seek solidarity from others.

2. Bystanders: Those who watch without 'doing.'

3. Participants: Those who 'do,' but to no particular extent.

4. Activist: Those who actively 'try' and put in significant work.

5. Die Hards: Those who give it their all, to the utmost extent.

In case this particular tip didn't strike you at first, I'll repeat it.

"If you have to choose between being right and being kind. Be kind. You get many chances to be right, but one chance to be kind."