LEADERSHIP FREAKS ME OUT.
Seriously. Leadership is one of the most terrifying aspects of my life. This poses a problem, considering I am a student leader in several areas on UNCG campus. These areas include Outdoor Adventures trip leader, OLSL Edible Schoolyard student liaison, and University Speaking Center consultant. Just when I think I have a system worked out, am feeling confident to lead, and am ready to take on the greatest goal yet, I am ambushed yet again by the ever-haunting question to myself: “Who do you think you ARE?”
Funny I should ask. The “Who am I?” question is one that you cannot answer with A, B, C, or D. True or false is inadequate. Try looking it up in the library’s reference section, you won’t find it. It isn’t even one of
those wishy-washy, open-ended essay questions we students love so dearly. It is the ever-evasive, mega-mysterious, impossible-to-answer question that will haunt leaders, and human beings, for that matter, until the end of time. Bits and pieces emerge, but forming a complete and accurate picture to answer that question is anything but fruitful.
Despite the fact that the inability to answer the “Who am I?” question is a shared experience among the majority of human beings, my personal inability to do so FREAKS ME OUT. It is one thing to ask oneself that question for speculative purposes, but when placed in the context of leadership, it gets a little complicated.
The original question of “Who do you think you ARE…?” continues on to ask “…leading these people? Why should they care what you have to say?” The burden of responsibility to be credible, honest, strong, and pure becomes heavier and heavier as you delve deeper and deeper into leadership.
When I first entered a leadership position at UNCG Outdoor Adventures, 95% of my energy was focused on my concerns regarding how I would be perceived by those who I was leading. The results of this misdistribution of energy were high anxiety, self-doubt, and an inability to relay even simple, fundamental information to participants.
It was not until I took a step back that I realized that my reason for being in that leadership role really was not about me. Sure, it was important to know myself as an individual and in relation to others, but what was most important in my role was catalyzing change for others. As soon as I shifted my focus from myself onto teaching participants and leading them by communicating my own passion for what I do, my anxiety dispersed rapidly.
So, yes, leadership can be REALLY scary, especially when you over-scrutinize yourself and find yourself paralyzed with self-doubt. The trick is to remember why you are in a leadership role in the first place. Let your passion fuel yourself and others. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the first to answer that pesky question, “Who do you think you ARE?”
Author:
Kendra Hammond
Outdoor Adventures trip leader
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
Seriously. Leadership is one of the most terrifying aspects of my life. This poses a problem, considering I am a student leader in several areas on UNCG campus. These areas include Outdoor Adventures trip leader, OLSL Edible Schoolyard student liaison, and University Speaking Center consultant. Just when I think I have a system worked out, am feeling confident to lead, and am ready to take on the greatest goal yet, I am ambushed yet again by the ever-haunting question to myself: “Who do you think you ARE?”
Funny I should ask. The “Who am I?” question is one that you cannot answer with A, B, C, or D. True or false is inadequate. Try looking it up in the library’s reference section, you won’t find it. It isn’t even one of
those wishy-washy, open-ended essay questions we students love so dearly. It is the ever-evasive, mega-mysterious, impossible-to-answer question that will haunt leaders, and human beings, for that matter, until the end of time. Bits and pieces emerge, but forming a complete and accurate picture to answer that question is anything but fruitful.Despite the fact that the inability to answer the “Who am I?” question is a shared experience among the majority of human beings, my personal inability to do so FREAKS ME OUT. It is one thing to ask oneself that question for speculative purposes, but when placed in the context of leadership, it gets a little complicated.
The original question of “Who do you think you ARE…?” continues on to ask “…leading these people? Why should they care what you have to say?” The burden of responsibility to be credible, honest, strong, and pure becomes heavier and heavier as you delve deeper and deeper into leadership.
When I first entered a leadership position at UNCG Outdoor Adventures, 95% of my energy was focused on my concerns regarding how I would be perceived by those who I was leading. The results of this misdistribution of energy were high anxiety, self-doubt, and an inability to relay even simple, fundamental information to participants.
It was not until I took a step back that I realized that my reason for being in that leadership role really was not about me. Sure, it was important to know myself as an individual and in relation to others, but what was most important in my role was catalyzing change for others. As soon as I shifted my focus from myself onto teaching participants and leading them by communicating my own passion for what I do, my anxiety dispersed rapidly.
So, yes, leadership can be REALLY scary, especially when you over-scrutinize yourself and find yourself paralyzed with self-doubt. The trick is to remember why you are in a leadership role in the first place. Let your passion fuel yourself and others. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the first to answer that pesky question, “Who do you think you ARE?”
Author:
Kendra Hammond
Outdoor Adventures trip leader
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
Love your thoughts Kendra. The change of focus from yourself to others is amazing. At Team QUEST, when participants are really nervous on the Challenge Course, one of the ways we help them is to suggest that they focus on helping someone else instead of thinking about how nervous they are. It's amazing how successful that strategy is!
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it Kendra. Great interest and delight in facilitating other people's growth coupled with the content and personal preparation to do so effectively results in one day feeling part of who you are is an excellent leader
ReplyDeleteI like this. I like this a lot. This makes me proud of you, and so happy for you at the same time. And yes, though it is important to flourish personally, the ultimate goal is to lead those around you to flourish. Bravo, and keep doing what you do, no matter the case. The growth is truly endless. Ah, and welcome to the world of leaders!
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article. You’ve outdone yourself with this material without a doubt. It is one of the greatest contents. therapist
ReplyDelete