Leadership is a very powerful word that entails so much information around the meaning of the word. I believe is it important for individuals to have their definition of what it means to be a leader. By having your own definition, it shows that individuals may have similar or different leadership styles. If someone has a different style than you it does not make yours any less important, just means you have different values. An individual’s leadership philosophy is based on different values the individual has.

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Values:

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The values that make up my leadership philosophy are empathy, respect, communication, and equality. I also believe constructive criticism, an open-door policy, and passion are some strong values that play a vital role in my career thus far.

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Professional Identity:

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Throughout my professional experience, I have quickly realized that being a leader and holding leadership values is one of the most important aspects of the higher education field. My leadership skills have been shaped through leadership programs I was involved in while in my undergraduate career as well as interning throughout the beginning of my graduate career. My dedication, ability to be taught and communication skills have allowed me to connect more with others and build a relationship of trust, cooperation, and respect.

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Overall, I strive to maintain a holistic approach throughout my career. By maintaining a holistic approach, it allows me to focus on individuals as a whole and making sure each person is included regardless of any situation.

 

Through my assistantship I have put my philosophy into practice by having an open-door policy, allowing students to come in at any point they need to. During these little session’s students may ask for advice, need a place to take a breather, or just stop by to say hello. Along with my supervisor, we hold two meetings with each student twice through the semester for their evaluations. In these meetings, we talk about everything they are doing well and give them constructive criticism on things they may be struggling with so by the time the next evaluation comes they will have the chance to improve.

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Impact I hope to have:

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Being a strong leader will not only benefit me but help build that trust between myself and other individuals, whether they are students, faculty, staff, or someone in my personal life. I practice all of the values I resonate with daily through my personal and professional life. I am constantly leading others in hopes that I am making a positive impact on their lives. As I navigate through the rest of my career, I hope to learn new roles, leadership styles, and different ways to implement my skills so I can meet the needs of every person.