Leadership is something that is beat over our heads in high school and college. We are told, "If you don't have leadership roles in high school, you won't have as good of a chance at getting into college," and this carries over into, "without leadership in college, future employers will overlook you for someone with experience." There are online quizzes to help you determine what kind of leader you are, books that will supposedly make you a better leader through a step series, and even classes and programs with the sole purpose of sculpting better leaders. While these things can be great, it is important to address some misconceptions regarding leadership.
1. Someone in a leadership position is NO better than someone who falls under their leadership. We get so invested in these leadership hierarchies that sometimes we forget that at the end of the day we are all just people. It is so important to stay humble when holding a position, because the last vibe you want to portray as a leader is arrogance.
2. There is a stark difference between being adaptive and being wishy-washy. Many people believe that you are a certain type of leader, and that is that. However, situational leadership is a real thing. Just because you are a different type of leader in different types of situations does not make you "fake." You need to be firm in certain instances, and more compassionate at other times. If anything, being able to read a situation and be the type of leader needed at that time, proves to be a strength.
3. Quiet leaders are still great leaders. There is a common misconception that leaders have to be loud, vocal, and dominant; however, this is misleading. Some of the very best leaders I have worked with were individuals who lead by example. They improve group morale by working hard, and their soft spirits are encouraging to those around them.
4. Leadership should not be a scary word. Yet, some students are still terrified of the term. Many assume that to be a leader, they must be great at public speaking or be super popular. False again. Leadership is simply having a vision, and others taking part in this vision with you - whatever that may be.
5. Numbers Don't Matter. Whether you are involved in ten campus activities, or you really pursue a specific organization dear to your heart, you can still be considered a leader. Society has built up this idea that a leader is someone who is involved in everything. Yes, many leaders are involved in several organizations, but this is not always true. We should not have to run around like crazy all the time just to consider ourselves a leader. If you love being busy, by all means go for it - but do not feel like you have to over exert yourself to be a good leader.
6. The one that probably needs to be shouted from every mountaintop: You do not have to have a title to be a leader. I hear this so often from those that I've spoken to. So many people feel like if they do not have a certain title or position, then they are not a leader. This is false, and anyone who tells you otherwise is deceiving you.
This trend, the "leadership culture," runs rampant on our campuses, and while it can be great, it also can be intimidating. As someone whose style of leading has evolved greatly over the years, I assure you that one style of leadership is no better than another. Channel your inner leader, and don't let anyone tell you that you aren't good at what you do. Your way of leadership is just as valuable as those around you, it may just be needed in different ways.
