When we think about leadership, often times we think about people that we look up to. For me, I think about Allison Bock, Noelle Serino, Dr. Manuel, Professor Griggs and so many others. What do these people have in common? Well for starters, they are the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow. These are the people who I aspire to be one day.
Before entering into the SPA Leadership Program, I thought I knew what it took to be a leader. I had leadership experience prior to coming so what else was there to know? Little did I know there was so much to learn. I soon learned that leadership is like a scattered jigsaw puzzle. You have all these little pieces that represent all the traits that make up an effective leader but sometimes you misplace the pieces where you take time to find them. That's how I would describe my leadership experience- a scattered puzzle. It took time for me to find the pieces but eventually I found them, put them together, and the end product was the person i am today and the leaderI have become.
Since coming to AU, I learned what it takes to be a leader. It's more than just people knowing your name or who you are. But it's about how you handle crisis situations, how you work and interact with others, but most importantly the legacy we leave behind.
After holding various leadership positions on campus such as President of Phi Alpha Delta, becoming a TA for the program, and everything else in between, I became aware of the leader I had within and I found my voice to not only advocate for myself but for others as well. There were times when I wanted to give up, especially when I was not accepted as the leader that I was. However, I did not give up based on those experience instead let them empower me. But what helped me become and understand the leader that I am are my animal type (koala) and the leadership theories. Without these aspects, I wouldn't have learned to effectively work with others with different personalities/styles from me, understand when to interject or when to stand back. The culmination of these puzzle pieces- theories, animal type, as well as the people I have worked with, I wouldn't have been the leader I am today.
I owe so many thanks to this wonderful program and the people in it. Without them, I do not know who I would be personally and as a person in leadership positions. Thank you to all for a wonderful three years!