Leadership Essay

Khialee Boyles

ILS Essay

Most people believe leadership is defined by a title: President, General, Chairman, etc. Titles do hold importance, there is no doubt about that, but they contain minimal value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, assigned, or appointed. Leadership is not primarily a formal position. The world has seen many great leaders whom held no high position; for example, Martin Luther King Jr. One does not need a title to be a leader. By all means, one can be a leader within their family, neighborhood, town, school, or society, all without obtaining a title. Being a leader has no correlation to appearance, age, social standing, but only actions.

Being a leader means leading by example. A leader does what is right, even when it is not popular. This is consistently done with love and compassion to everyone. One’s word can be effective, but actions can speak louder than words. I have displayed this in many ways. One example, would be through class executive boards. I have been a part of Washington Community High School's freshman and sophomore executive boards. This year I have been very involved in the executive board. I sold treats in concessions, multiple times during Sophomore football games. I distributed candy, to children, the whole night at Boo Bash both years. Further more, during homecoming week last year, I assisted in the window painting. I have volunteered to work on many tasks each year and I showed an example to be involved and volunteer.

Being a leader means placing the needs of others above your own. I volunteer with the Greater Peoria Honor Flight. This is a non-profit organization, which raises money to fly veterans out to Washington D.C. in order for them to see the memorials built in their honor. The Honor Flight provides all the veterans with free travel, to, from, and around D.C. I have been volunteering with them for over a year or so now. Along the streets of Peoria, in the rain, I have spun signs for a fund raiser. I have served food at pre-flight dinners. Selling merchandise is another job I have done for this organization. All the way to staying up late in order to finish invitations. These men and women have displayed such bravery and selflessness, these are just a few of what I strive to give back to theses amazing individuals. This exemplifies leadership because, I am not accomplishing these tasks for any type of physical reward; the smiles and the tears in their eyes when they see these memorials, alone are plenty rewards for me.

Being a leader means believing. Believing in the team. Believing in oneself. Believing in the ability to reach the goal or the vision. Belief is mandatory for success in any instance. Both years I participated in all of the fun float building (which I also volunteered to miss my last hour, Geometry Honors, of school multiple days to help) and the parade, during homecoming week. This is where I provided both the driver, My Uncle Hank, for the float and the car trailer which the float was on. The juniors won every single year in the past! My team decided this would be the year we gave them a run for their money. Motivation was the key to success. Leaders do not inform people; they energize them to participate. We put extensive time and effort into the float, and it ultimately paid off because we won first place! I have exemplified leadership during this by directing others on their roles and jobs, and by asking other’s opinions and collaborating on how to benefit the whole class.

Leadership means inspiration. One who communicates clearly, concisely, and often, and by doing so motivates everyone to give their best all the time. Building up others allows them to accomplish a personal goal. I displayed leadership during Great Oaks Leadership Training. I cheered on others as they did things that were hard for them. For instance, my friend, Shelby, was afraid of heights, therefore, nervous about the ropes course. From the second she was hooked onto the cable, to the moment her feet touched the ground, I was cheering her on, instilling in her that she has the capability to accomplish anything. Despite the fact, I am deathly afraid of falling from heights, I showed courage by following through with the ropes course. Pushing through fear is troublesome, for anyone, but leaders must make difficult decisions and courage is essential to determine what is best for everyone. Even though this situation does not exhibit decision making difficulties, it does demonstrate courage.

A leader is optimistic, infuses positivity, and directs others to reach the specified goal. At Great Oaks Leadership Training, for example, with one of the obstacles there were two cables, attached to three trees, forming an acute angle, there were two people that had to walk on the cables and try to get the farthest. We soon realized, after a few failures, we had to trust in our partner more by holding onto their shoulders and pushing on their shoulders while walking, sideways, along the cable. This was very hard for a great deal of people, including myself at first, but then I was on the cable with my friend, Sam, and I simply invested all my trust in him and that is hard to do for anyone. We reached the farthest point. I was willing to do a task out of