how my perspective of leadership has changed

coming into college, my perspective of a leader was a strong-willed person who led a group or organization with strong character. I didn't think there were two sides to leading, I thought the only leader was the one in front telling everyone to do. I did think that a leader should be understanding and listen to his/her group, but I thought it was a one-person job. As mentioned before, my first two classes were leadership in organizations and leadership in groups. One of the first things I learned in my leadership classes were that there were different types of leadership styles and different ways you can lead. There was authoritative, democratic, and laissez-faire. There were also different ways to lead, either on the dance floor or the balcony perspective. Through information like this, my idea of leadership started to shift. It was no longer just a person, but it was a lifestyle, a wholeistic way of leading a group. I used to think that it was one person, but now I realized that it was a group effort, led by the person in the leadership position. 

Throughout my next few leadership classes I started to understand the culture of leadership. I had learned what leadership WAS in my first two classes, the foundation of what it takes to be a good leader. However, through my next two classes I had the opportunity to look at non-profits and women in leadership. These classes weren't telling me how to lead, but were giving me real-life situations that show how leadership is used in the world today. I feel like these two classes did more for my understanding of leadership than the foundations of leadership, although I am aware that I need to know the foundations before I can apply it to my life. 

This last class, leadership seminar, has completed the shaping of my leadership perspective. It has finalized what it really means to lead. Through this class I was able to see how different ways of leading in a classroom can be beneficial or detrimental to a group setting. This changed my perspective because it showed how impacting leadership styles can be and how we can change our leadership style based what the group needs. Without these different classes and my maturity as a person, I would not have understand the foundations of leadership or how to apply leadership in my life. The leadership minor gave a full and complete idea of what leadership is, helping those in leadership positions be the best leaders they can be. 

five pointers for future leadership students

when I was choosing whether to study leadership or not, I wish there were older students that could have given me tips to help give me direction. so, I am here today to give pointers to future leadership students! 

Five fun pointers for future leadership students!

1.   Find what your leadership qualities are at the beginning, so you can work on them throughout your leadership journey.

2.  Take classes that appeal to what you want to do in the future, embrace them!

3.  Get involved in the leadership community, build a relationship with other leadership students.

4. Create as many contacts as you can when doing projects for leadership classes. Use them for other classes and your future jobs.

5. Embrace whatever leadership position you are in. Work to be the best you can be at it!

my motivation to study leadership

there were a few things that motivated me to study leadership when I got to college. I came into college as a student-athlete and knew that if I wanted to be a captain in the future, I would need to be an excellent leader. As I started taking the classes I realized that these classes would help me reach that goal. Along with knowing that I needed to be a leader, I came into college with already very strong leadership qualities. Ever since I can remember I have always enjoyed being the leader of the group. From middle school to high school I always always volunteering to lead and other students were constantly looking up to me to be a leader as well. Although I thought I was doing a good job (which I was doing a decent job) I knew there was improvement for me. So building on top of my born with leadership characteristics, these classes helped make me into a more complete leader. And finally, I was also motivated to study leadership because, as mentioned before, I hope to be a middle or elementary school teacher. I know that there is going to be a great need for leadership qualities in this profession. The more I can learn through college before I start my profession the better! 

important and salient things i have learned from my leadership experiences

the two most important or salient things I have learned since being in the leadership minor have been in the classes women in leadership and leadership in youth & services. 

women in leadership gave me an experience I haven't had since being in college. the classroom atmosphere was about 10-12 females and no males. Although this might have been a biased classroom, it gave an open environment to talk about feminist issues without the bias of males. This class was the most important for my personal life. Issues were brought up that challenged how I was personally leading. I realized I was a communal leader that tried to please everyone and not an agentic leader like most males. Although I enjoy being a communal leader and creating those personal relationships, I miss out on teaching people things because I am too scared of hurting their feelings. I also learned to stand firm in my opinion or what I believe, and not to follow what I just said "well if you don't agree with that, that's okay, we don't have to do it that way", or "sorry" after saying something. Although these techniques sounds simple, us women are unaware of how much we use these phrases. This class gave me the confidence to be proud of what I believe and to not question myself. If I question what I think, why would my followers believe me? 

The second class, leadership in youth & services, helped me with my future hopes, dreams, and desires. One assignment was to get in touch with a non-profit. I chose a non-profit called Outside the Lens. This program works with underprivileged kids through photography. When asking what I could help with, the manager, Niki, asked if I would want to rewrite the curriculum for the program. I was eager to take the job because it would give me experience for my future teaching position. I was also able to incorporate exercise and nutrition into the curriculum, which I am also familiar with because of my basketball history. This relationship with Outside the Lens opened up doors for my future career and also opened up my eyes to the underprivileged students in San Diego right now. I look forward to continuing working with them! 

how my understanding of leadership will impact my future

my hope is to one day become an elementary/middle school teacher, and currently I play on the women's basketball team .in both of these occupations before me I will be able to apply my new leadership techniques. 

Being a part of a basketball team, and also in a captain position, different leadership techniques are important. On any athletic team, it is important the leader can be a liason between the coach and the players, as well as knowing the players, their strengths and weaknesses, while being able to communicate effectively between all three. I have experienced teams that do not have effective communication from the captain and coaches which results in frustration and falling short of the goals we are trying to reach. I have taken plenty of technique I have  learned in previous leadership classes. Some people outside of the leadership minor figure 'how hard can it be to a leadership minor?'. What they do not know is the pressure and effort it takes to be a GOOD and EFFECTIVE leader. One can just obtain the leadership title, but it it what they do with the position that reflects their character. 

I will also use what I learned throughout the leadership minor to help make me the best teacher I can be. When working with young children, your leadership technique and communication is extremely important. Children who are young are still impressionable because of their lack of exposure to the outside world. Therefore, my leadership will affect them throughout their journey in life. I don't want to the be teacher remembered for being a poor communicator with the student and also the parents. Certain techniques I will use in my classroom will be the balcony and dance floor perspective. I learned this idea early on in my leadership journey. This is important because f students aren't understand a concept, I need to get on the dance floor with them and understand why they are not comprehending it. However, I also need to remember that I am the teacher and when it comes to consequences or managing the classroom, I need to take a balcony perspective and remember that I am the teacher and leader of the classroom. Leading is an vital part to being a teacher and if the teacher has poor communication skills, the student will drastically be affected in their learning. 

how my leadership style has evolved

as a little freshman, I came onto the basketball team as a meek and quiet leader. during high school I was too afraid to hurt people's feelings so I didn't lead to my full potential. however, when I got to college and joined the leadership minor, I saw my leadership style evolve right before my eyes. The first classes I took were leadership in organizations and leadership in groups. These two groups opened my eyes and heart to what leadership really meant to my life and how it could help me make the teams I am on more effective. After taking those two classes, I had the privilege to take two classes, women in leadership & leadership in youth and services, it was in these two classes that my heart fell in love with being a leader. Throughout these two classes I was able to asses my leadership style and see what I needed to change and work on. the biggest characteristic trait that has evolved throughout my leadership journey is the strength and powerful personality that has come. My first two years in college I was easily taken advantage of. however, through an activity we just did in my leadership seminar class I realized I need to be aware of how powerful my leadership style may be. Although, I have come a long way from the meek and timid leader I used to be. I have learned that a leader needs to be able to connect with their followers, but also learn how to be a follower. On my basketball team I have learned how to do both. In appropriate situations I have had to be an agentic leader and say the tough thing, however I am also able to be a communal leader when I am able to mentor the younger players. Without leadership classes that have challenged me, I would not have been able to take a step by and evaluate my leadership style. With this evaluation, I am able to help my basketball team as well as my personal life as well. I no longer allow people, friends or intimate relationships, take advantage of me or walk all over me. I have learned to stand up for myself and be a powerful woman leader (thanks to women in leadership!!). This evolution has not been easy, but it has been worth it!

--very much like this picture, I started as an incomplete leader, but throughout my classes, I have evolved into a more complete leader. 

why my leadership journey is unique

well hello to my blog viewers! I wanted to give a quick intro about what this blog's purpose is. Through this online media, I am hoping to inform you of what leadership has done for me. The experiences I have encountered, along with the ups and downs of being a leader. I will answer some specific questions to reach the requirement for the class final, but altogether I hope you leave this blog knowing more about my journey and leadership itself! :)

this is leadership to me..