Leadership is a process that empowers others to motivate change towards a common goal. My definition is simple because I think the goal of leadership is simple, to get others to follow you. However, the process in which you get others to do this is quite complex.

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I believe that I am a leader who can inspire others through relationship, organization, and enthusiasm. I believe that coming into the leadership minor experience, I did not believe I was a relational person. I pictured myself as a shy and uninspiring person. I was never the center of the room or the person that was first to rally the crowds. This made me believe that I was not a conventional leader. However, my perception on what a conventional leader is has totally dismantled. I do not think there is a conventional form of leadership anymore. And while my strengths were not in uniting a room of people for a cause, I did have strengths in individual connection. I have learned how to better identify when someone is struggling or not fitting in. As a leader, I find it is important to reach out to those people individually and develop a relationship that makes them feel safe and supported.

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I have always had a knack for organization and productivity. To do lists are my best friend. It was not until recently that I realized that other people did not have the knack for organization that I did. Upon this realization, I have been able to utilize this skill to create group schedules, organize meeting ideas, and check-in with progress on tasks with others. I believe my organization develops a sense of trust with my team that I will get the work done and keep the group moving forward. Through my studies at CU, I have also learned to pass the trust in the other direction. Delegation was never an easy task for me as a leader, but I have finally found that when I trust others, they will provide the team with support as well.

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From the very beginning of my interest in leadership, I have always defined it with passion, passion for helping others and making the world a better place. I had a good sense that this passion was important from driving my life, but I was not sure how it fit into my leadership. The leadership minor program has helped me define what this passion means for my leadership. I have learned how to turn my passion into enthusiasm that drives others to be passionate as well.