During my time in Dr. Dahlman's First Year Experience class, I had the opportunity to learn what leadership is really about. I learned that leadership is not for a select few, but can be practiced by everyone. Leadership is not about showy speeches and glamorous presentations, but it is about passionate people helping others to become passionate. Leaders are people who have strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. What makes a good leader is someone who recognizes their strengths and uses them to lead and surrounds themselves with a team of people who excel where they are weak. In Honors First Year Experience, I had the opportunity to evaluate myself as a leader. I took the StrengthsFinder assessment and learned about my strengths as a leader: I am an achiever and a learner. Knowing my strengths has allowed me to thrive as a leader, as it allows me to focus on my strengths and not become bogged down by my weaknesses. Although I am always striving to become a better leader, I am able to be a confident leader through my strengths. 

 

In an essay, I reflect on all I have learned about leadership through the class and how I understand leadership to work in my life:

Leadership Essay.pdf