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Leadership Prologue 101 — Final Reflection

Before I started Leadership Prologue 101, a course that explores how liberal arts enhances good leadership, my definition of leadership was very rigid. I was under the impression that people who led from the front lines and made significant changes were leaders. I expected leaders to be empathetic, active, and effectively communicate with others. I also thought that all leaders had these specific characteristics in common, otherwise, they were not as impactful as a leader. 

After participating in assignments, such as reading William Cronon’s essay, Only Connect, Stacey Abram’s autobiography, and working in a team during this course, I was exposed to a fluid, more flexible definition of leadership which held no expectations nor standards for a leader. Traditionally, a leader is seen as an outspoken and outgoing individual. When in reality, they do not necessarily have to work on the front lines. In addition, Organizational leadership, which is leading from behind the scenes, is a valid form of leadership. This means that there are no exact qualities of leadership, the same way a leader does not have to make revolutionary changes to prove themselves as a leader. A leader is anyone who can nourish others around them and make the small changes that lead towards bigger ones. 

Every LDR 101 student was required to read and write a reflection on Cronon’s essay because it is believed to be a staple text for leadership studies and liberal arts. In his essay, he explains that a liberal arts education provides a definition and allows one to embody leadership. While Cronon’s essay provides a foundation of leadership to me, I did not fully resonate with his message because his perspective seemed forced. The skillsets of liberally educated individuals within the essay were tangible, but it came across that people must have these specific characteristics in order to be liberally educated. Although Cronon did include a disclaimer in his essay, clarifying that the list was merely his opinion, his tone was not ideal and it still felt like he was trying to create a rigorous template for leadership. Even though Cronon’s essay did not provide a true definition of leadership, Stacey Abram’s autobiography conveys a better definition of leadership.

It was only until I read excerpts of Stacey Abram’s autobiography that I began to understand leadership better. Abrams filled in the gaps in my understanding of leadership by reassuring me that leadership is flexible and holistic. Her experiences in the autobiography provided realistic examples of how an individual can emerge to be a leader. As a person of color, I was able to relate to her more than I did with Cronon because of her marginalized identity. Abrams proves that there is no such thing as supremacy in leadership and that having the skillset Cronon wrote about in his essay was not necessary at all. Abrams encourages her readers to take action when given the opportunity. She explains that making small changes would eventually lead to something revolutionary and that leaders are not obligated to make a huge impact. 

Finally, my experience with the group presentation on Madame C.J. Walker shaped my leadership style. Working in a team made me realize what I was capable of as a leader. The assignment also helped me build new skills that I have never acquired before, such as public speaking and teamwork. I was able to venture out in public speaking after the assignment thanks to my team members’ support and encouragement. They gave me suggestions and tips that made it easier for me to present on my own later. My experience as the leader of my team defined how I worked when I was in charge. The role gave me a sense of responsibility and I tried to reinforce it by keeping everyone on track and checking their progress. I felt the instinct to care for each member and help them out whenever possible. I also booked our appointments, mock presentations, and meetings myself since I thought it was my job as the leader. My teammates contributed greatly, and I was glad that we were comfortable enough to depend on each other. For example, one of my members was sick throughout the week, so the rest of us created a plan to work according to her comfort. My new definition of leadership applied in this situation when we truly cared for each other, ensured everyone’s progress and encouraged each other to stay on track. I learned that I enjoyed working in a team because it created a strong bond between me and my teammates. Despite having the title of a leader in the team, I know we were all leaders in our own way.

 Overall,  I found the need to take the initiative whenever I had the chance. At first, I thought I only took action on my own because I was the leader of my team, but I realized that I did not want to risk waiting for someone else to make the plans that we needed. All of the scheduled meetings, tutoring sessions, and mock presentations we did were critical for our presentation. I like to think that I would have done the same even if I was not the leader because I believe you should not wait for others if you have the opportunity to do it yourself. There is no harm in trying things yourself first. Essentially, I have learned that leadership is more than just a traditional form. Rather, it is possible that people embody different qualities that make them a leader.