Before joining Greek life, I never imagined that I would some day consider myself to be a leader among my peers and colleagues. However, after fulfilling several different roles within my sorority over the course of the past few years, I am amazed by the leadership skills and knowledge I have gained. As I look ahead to the little time I have remaining with my sisters, it's important to share and acknowledge all of the things I am grateful to have learned since freshman year.
I've learned that being a woman is friggin' awesome.
I remember when I was a lot younger and my friends and I would always wish we were boys instead of girls. This thought came from wishing we didn't get our periods every month, and having the impression that being a guy was a breeze. Now, having spent the past few years around so many amazing Greek women, I've realized I wouldn't trade my femininity for anything. My sisters have taught me what it means to be a strong woman by setting examples and being there for me when I needed to learn how to pick myself back up. The empowerment I feel being a member of such an extraordinary sisterhood is invaluable.
I've learned what it means to "lead."
Leading is not telling other people what to do, when to do it, and how it should be done. To me, leading is support, guidance, and exemplification. You support others in their endeavors, rather than determine them. You guide people's ideas and concepts to fit the needs of an organization. You exemplify the passion you expect other people to feel.
Better yet, I've learned to lead like a woman.
There is something so powerful about a woman with a high pair of heels, a bright mind, and the determination to do what needs to be done. I've realized that there are just some things that women have the ability to do as leaders that don't come to men naturally. We are good communicators, we are empathetic, and we better understand what someone is really saying, not only with their words, but with their body language. By using these unique skills, I have developed a leadership identity that plays to my innate strengths as a woman.
I've learned to ask for what I want and demand what I need.
While women lead in unique ways, it is also important to think like a man. Women are often afraid to ask for what they need because they fear that doing so will make them seem dependent and inferior. The fact of the matter is that everyone needs something at some point, so just ask. With a logical request, an open mind, and assertive language, you can have your cake and rejoice in the fact that you asked for it instead of waiting for someone to give it to you.
I've learned there's no way to have it all together all of the time.
It is physically impossible to remember every detail of every important event, meeting, or to-do list item. I will forget things, and I will forget often. However, I am fortunate enough to have people who work with me that remind me of the things I tend to forget. Am I embarrassed by these lapses in my thinking? No; rather I am grateful that I am surrounded by amazing leaders who help me patch up the holes and fit the pieces together. Together, we can have it all.
I've learned you cannot say thank you enough.
People work far too hard to receive little to no recognition. Also, there would be no organizational success without the projects, be they big or small, completed by other people everyday. Thus, it is important to attribute success to people who deserve it.
It's okay to do things differently.
I have always been afraid of doing things my own way, especially when it comes to leadership. I have seen and served under several successful and inspirational leaders, and I always assumed that in order to achieve their success, I needed to do things the same way. Wrong, wrong, wrong. There is no precise recipe to successful leadership. Good leadership is authentic leadership, and that only comes from being yourself.
You get out of Greek life what you put into it, and the immaterial benefits you gain last much longer than four years. I'm proud to be 100 percent Greek.
