Leadership. Throughout the articles of time, leaders have been essential towards the progression of mankind. In fact, when you look at living creatures and sentient life on this planet, there too also lies a mantle of leadership and guidance to which progression can unfold. With a colony of ants, you have its queen. With a pack of wolves, you have the alpha. So on and so forth. With mankind, leaders have their place in the world through various avenues in which leadership is determined. Leaders of a country who guide the people towards their distinctive standard of living for example. There are also leaders established in a military structure that guide their soldiers towards excellence and serving the cause they are committed towards. There are also simpler examples such as leaders in the business world or even leaders of social organizations. What makes them leaders? Is it merely a trait that’s built in our primal instincts? Or is it perhaps something that’s obtained through education and practice? Maybe even a combination of the two? While every leader has a different story as to how they came towards that mantle of responsibility and although there may be a difference of opinion as to how a leader should operate, what we can understand is that the concept of leadership is very subjective yet beneficial towards individuals willing to understand and apply it. In my case, leadership was something I had to grow into. Growing up, I had to follow many people I perceived to be stronger in order to develop myself and grow. Parents were the first leaders I had acknowledged and learned from in order to progress. When entering the world outside of my family and exploring it, I had to look towards my peers and single out those who not only had the most influence, but also maintain that influence. By following them and studying certain traits, slowly but surely I was able to demonstrate these traits and apply them to garner the things I desire. I learned that leaders have a way to connect to the ones they wish to guide. As such, I attempted to learn about others and what makes them who they are in order to help them when I can. I learned that leaders must be strong in their personal convictions in order to inspire others to lend their support. With more support, the visions of a leader become more tangible and that vision becomes reality. When I have to guide others, I have to showcase confidence in order for the guided to be confident with the actions they demonstrate on my behalf. I am constantly tested when it comes to this as I sometimes question myself should things not work out the way they should. But at the end of the day, I stick to my convictions after weighing out the positives and negatives. Personal evaluation remains to be an important practice. During my later years and even today, I’ve come to understand that being a leader sometimes requires you to carry the extra weight when those you lead fall short of expectations and fail to demonstrate the effort necessary to progress. At times, this can be resolved through encouragement, cooperation, or discipline depending on the situation. There are also times when neither of these actions will result in change and losses have to be cut. However, the lack of actions from others shouldn’t deter a leader from doing what needs to be done if they truly believe in the cause that they are fighting for. It also takes the resolve to place one’s personal pride below them and realize that imperfections exist and can be improved. Perhaps what makes a leader truly strong is the constant desire to improve, to continue to go the distance invigorated. I constantly have to remind myself that perfection is overrated yet the mere concept and its pursuit is what fuels effort and leads towards success. While I still have much to learn about leadership, with the knowledge and experience I have attained, I feel as if that leader’s tale is slowing in the making as I work towards the final chapter. That, in my opinion, is one of the most valuable things a leader can do: leaving behind a legacy.