Am I a Leader?
By Samantha Gonzales
In elementary school, my teachers constantly reminded me that in high school I would only be known as a number. That the care and compassion for students by educators would cease. I took this unnerving information to heart, and once I entered high school, I quickly fell into La Serna’s pit of the unnoticed. Day after day, I completed my monotonous routine numbly, knowing deep down I did not feel right.
I then looked to my heroes, not only to the well known, such as Steve Jobs or Oprah Winfrey, but to the ones who affect my life every day: My loving parents, who guide me to make all the right choices, my dedicated counselor, who encourages me to follow my dreams, and my loyal friends, who fully support everything I do. Each of these people has a special attribute that makes them great leaders. Because being a leader does not only involve dictating others, leaders must inspire and be inspired. Albert Einstein once said “Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” A person of value would have the distinct qualities of my role models: dedication, courage, understanding, listening skills. To me, these are the virtues of leadership.
Leaders are curious; they are not afraid to venture where many would never dare to. They yearn to know and learn more than what is taught. Leaders wish to discover. Everyone has dreams, but leaders call them goals. The difference is, leaders will share their vision, act upon it, and accomplish it. There is no “what if?” Only “I can,” “I will,” and “I have.”
Leadership is imperative due to this ever-changing society. Leaders act as catalysts of transformation by providing information in order to explain why these advances are necessary. Also, conflict between humans is virtually inescapable, so it is up to leaders to instill resolution.
It is evident that some leaders, even those in prestigious positions, such as a highly elected official, can succumb to the power of leadership and lose the precious qualities that make a leader virtuous. These are not true leaders, because true leaders never lose the vision of honesty. Morals are much more important than self-success. Being a person of value is success enough.
In today’s society I believe that followers are non-existent. In the depths of each person there lies a leader. What determines your success in leadership is solely measured by how much integrity and devotion you put forth.
After the guidance of my role models, I have attained top 3% of my class, created my own club, won the Be Your Best Award, and gained acceptance into National Honors Society as well as several prestigious volunteer and science programs. But the question remains, do I still walk the halls of La Serna every day going unnoticed? Am I still treated as just a number? These questions can only be answered by how my actions are perceived.
With this I say I can, I will, and I did!