Learning Leadership

Presidential Leadership Students of The Center for the Advancement of Leadership 2009-2011

As a freshman, I received a housing scholarship through a Presidential Leadership Program called the Center for the Advancement of Leadership (CAL). They offered me a two year housing stipend in exchange for my participation in their 10-step leadership certification process. I could choose from several mastermind seminars, leadership conferences, service projects, and courses with titles like "organizational behavior" and "seven habits of highly effective people". This program gave me the opportunity to really dive into learning. I was exposed to different opinions, cultures, backgrounds, and life styles. I could not get enough. I was like a sponge, absorbing everything that came my way. I began to pull from other's learning styles and leadership examples and began building the potential that I had always dreamed of. 

From the CAL, I began to realize that leadership is exactly as Seth Godin states; embracing the failure of your followers because it will lead to their growth (Godin, 2013). I was one of those followers and I had the potential for growth because the leaders of CAL were dedicated to developing my leadership. Their mission was to prepare students with the leadership knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive in the world market and to make significant contributions to society (Leadership, 2015).

I can be that contribution. I even feel it inside when I'm a part of a project or working with a team member. I know I have the capabilities to reach out and help someone else discover their potential. Not only did I realize I could have an impact on the people and places I had been, but I had the potential to continue to grow and develop greater leadership competencies and abilities. I was excited and completely unstoppable. I wanted to dive into life and into college, the one thing that several months earlier I almost give up on.   

Because of Godin's encouragement to be more innovative, to be generous, and authentic regardless of impending obstacles or potential weaknesses, I believed that taking risks was my greatest ally. I chose to take chances that year, to give of myself in the most unlikely places, and to ignore the constant beat of my nervous heart. I was honest and sincere, I was hardworking and determined. As the CAL allowed me to fail and flourish they provided an environment where I was able to develop and become a better version of myself.