Becoming a Leader

I try and live my life by the idea that the world already has enough followers, what it needs is more leaders. Luckily I was brought up in a family that encouraged me to pursue my dreams but also taught me that I was going to have to work to get them. I learned very quickly that nothing in life was going to be handed to me on a silver platter.

This message really sank in to me as a 16 year old sophomore in high school. I had always loved singing, had been in the school choir, and even took private lessons and studied classical music. When I found out that a select choir from Novi was going to be performing in Carnegie Hall in NYC I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. That year I worked hard on my singing and sight reading abilities in order to be selected into the Novi Festival Singers choir. In the Fall I discovered I was placed into the choir and that the following spring I would be in NYC singing. This is one of the first big memories I have of putting myself out there, segregating myself from the group, and becoming a leader to myself. Let me tell you there is no feeling more empowering than standing on a stage in Carnegie Hall looking out over the New York Symphonic Orchestra and trying to count the hundreds of faces blurred in the audience by the stage lights.  

Although it may seem a little farfetched I often thank John Rutter, yes “the modern Mozart of Europe” John Rutter, and the New York Symphonic Orchestra for where I am today.

At Ferris State University I am a member of The Ad Group of AAF (American Advertising Federation). It amazes me every year how many kids in my program don’t think that it’s important to become a part of an RSO for their major. One half of me is happy because I’m hoping that as a member of TAG I’m being set apart from others in my field that I could potentially be competing with for jobs. The other half of me is sad as I know how much they are missing out on not being a part of what we do.  The group has taught me that being a leader doesn’t mean holding all of the responsibilities that somebody like the President of the USA holds. I think that is why people shy away from leadership opportunities. They don’t want to overwhelm themselves. I am guilty of this as well as I am a quieter less “out there” kind of person.  What I have learned is that you step up for smaller leadership opportunities and expand as you become comfortable. Sometimes becoming a leader requires a little leap of faith but not once have I held a position where there wasn’t anyone to help me, guide me, or fall back on when I needed them.

Leadership opportunities have allowed me to build up strong list of qualities that will help me in my future. Responsibility, Confidence, Ability to take action, and knowledge are all things that becoming a leader has taught me that can be used not only as appealing traits to a potential employee but anywhere I go in life.

The next time you are searching for jobs or filling out an application think to yourself, “Am I a leader than stands out from everybody else, or am I just a follower that meets the minimum requirements?”

Remember, the word already has enough followers, what it really needs it strong leaders!