Leadership Competency

The quote above has been a staple throughout my life. I heard it from my youth coaches and I still hear it today from my college coaches and it has always stood out to me. When I think of a leader, I think of someone who is resilient, determined, and confident, yet humble.  A leader doesn't need to be the smartest or the most talented. Throughout my leadership experiences thus far, I have learned that the best leaders guide, but they also know who to follow. By being involved in clubs and teams, I have the ability to observe others and take away lessons learned from each experience. I've had the opportunity to use these lessons to grow and find out who I am and who I want to be. Marketing club challenged me because I took a chance on something out of my comfort zone. What pushed me to do this, which is kind of funny, was a horoscope I had one day. It said, "Talking to strangers brings out different facets of your personality and gives you a better understanding of yourself, which helps you have the confidence to talk to more strangers. It will be a crucial and enjoyable part of your self-development." I experienced just that. I had always found myself surprisingly shy sometimes. But right when I walked into the room on the first day of marketing club, I felt at ease and interested in the people who created the environment. I had confidence and excitement. Soccer has been a huge part of my life and as I grow older, I see the importance of leaders. Someone needs to be brave enough to speak for the team when no one is there to speak. The Student-Athlete Advisory committee, that I have been elected as a member, has the platform for leaders to have a voice for their team. The importance of connecting with others strengthens the environment. Growth is uncomfortable,  but that is the beauty of it.