These days, it seems that almost everyone is described as being a leader. But what exactly does it mean to be a leader? Having a leadership position? Giving directions to others? I feel that the increasingly common usage of the word is obscuring the true meaning of the word. What do you all think?
I think "Leadership" can be defined simply as having others follow you. In order for that to last, however, there are typically things you must do -- serve them, be responsible for them, offer them something as a "leader," etc. In other words, you are a leader when people are following you in some sense of the word; however, people don't tend to follow long if you're not leading them some place of value.
Leadership can probably also be defined in terms of what it is
not:
- A Position (while one effective in a "leadership position" may be a leader, someone can also gain a "position of leadership" but end up w/ no followers if a poor leader)
- Power (good leaders have influence but they typically don't lord power over people)
I think good leaders tend to be servant-leaders, tending to the needs of those they are leading before tending to their own. Good leaders are typically empathetic, good listeners, strong communicators, etc. Excellent leaders are sensitive to the needs of their followers as well as coleaders. Outstanding leaders realize
leadership is a role, not a position. All leaders must understand that they are always responsible to someone (whether that's the people they are leading or someone supervising and leading them).
I think the key in terms of admissions is that some positions allow you to shine as a leader; however, people who are not effective leaders will fail if given these positions of leadership. Being President of the Pre-Med Club at my school does not make me a leader. The fact that I have mobilized pre-meds in the community to make a difference in the community's health makes me a leader
at that time. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what leadership really is and it's so easy for people to think of it as a position but that's not what it is at all. It's a set of actions and behaviors that are reciprocated by others. "Leadership experience" is simply a way of developing those qualities. You are not a leader simply b/c you hold some officer position.
