Alumni Essay 30

When people contemplate leadership, they often picture individuals who are outspoken, who command the attention of any room they enter, and who take charge without hesitation. But I’ve come to realize that leadership isn’t just about having a strong presence. There’s so much more that can shape someone’s ability to lead. I believe leadership is the ability to guide, influence, and inspire others toward a common goal or vision. It’s more than holding a position of authority; it’s about being flexible, open-minded, trustworthy, and leading by example to help everyone succeed. Many people overlook the power of quiet, reserved leaders, but I now believe that quiet leadership is the strongest and most effective. I have grown more confident in my abilities to lead, not being afraid to take on responsibilities and showing people that they can count on me.

Last school year, I participated in the Olympics Project with Youth Lead KC, where we students were provided an opportunity to find a problem within our schools and create a workable solution. Even though I’m not very outspoken, my teammates chose me as the group leader, as they believed that I possessed the qualities that would help our team succeed: responsibility, organization, compassion, and the ability to motivate others. Although I had my reservations, I took this as an opportunity to showcase my leadership skills.

As a group, we noticed that many people in our school and community didn’t have access to daily essentials and hygiene products. As teenagers, we knew this is something that can have an impact on a person’s mental health and ability to learn in school. We organized an anonymous survey and administered it around school to determine if this is something that would be beneficial. The survey showed an overwhelming need. Therefore, we developed a plan to secure products and pull together a care-package initiative called “Delightful Delivery.” We distributed care packages at school and partnered with Harvesters Food Drive to reach more people in need. For the project, I had a clear vision for how things should be done. I was responsible for making sure my team worked efficiently and that our goals were realistic and achievable. I made it a priority to listen to my team, incorporate everyone’s ideas, and hold both myself and others accountable. When the team got off task, I kept us working and gently brought the focus back to our project. Throughout this long process, I ensured that everyone kept a positive mindset. My focus was on persistence, and my team trusted me to help push our team forward.

In the end, not only did we meet the initial project goal of finding a problem within our school and developing a workable solution, but we also implemented our plan. And, it was found to be a success. Our team won first place for our “Delightful Delivery” project, and I was given a “quiet leadership” award. This experience completely changed how I see myself as a leader. I learned that I don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to make a difference. I plan to continue participating in future community service and leadership efforts, leaving a legacy within my community using my style of leadership. To me, “leaving a legacy” doesn’t just mean making sure that people know your name but leaving enough of an impact for others to feel inspired by you and want to accomplish greater goals in life. My ultimate goal is to encourage future leaders to find their own style of leadership and use it to make a difference within their community.