Many people see campus leaders as simply the people in charge of organizing and making strategic decisions for clubs. In reality, holding a leadership position is emotionally demanding. Many leaders on campus handle aspects that aren’t necessarily in the job description. For example, they have to deal with conflicts between members, frustrations, and disappointment.
When you become a leader on campus, you become the go-to person. Often, it is not in the good moments that people come to you. Most of the time, you will have panic moments thrown at you. Leaders often have to deal with problems that aren’t necessarily in their control.
Leadership often goes unnoticed by the common person. Most leadership positions involve emailing, planning, problem-solving, and follow-ups that are often not done in public. This makes recognition inconsistent. Some things are seen by the community, but other things go unnoticed and unappreciated. The one thing that always seems to be noticed is the leader’s mistakes. This can often create stress in having a leadership position.
When accepting a leadership position, one needs to be aware that saying yes to too many people can create burnout. If you say yes to leadership positions in every club you are in, it can spread you too thin. This is why I would advise a leader to set boundaries. Take the time to realize what time you need for yourself. It is okay to not have time to do everything. The important thing is to communicate that to the people around you. Learning to say no is part of being a leader; it is a skill that will be useful in the real world.
Leadership positions definitely change your priorities and perspective. You start to notice everything your predecessors did in your position. It often creates a greater sense of appreciation for the commitment your predecessors had. Leadership positions can also make you feel isolated. When you are expected to be the professional face of a club, it can be hard to keep the relationships you had before taking on your position.
Overall, leadership positions are a great opportunity for personal growth. I encourage you to grow through your mistakes and own up to them. I think that when you are in a leadership position, it can often feel like a lot of pressure, but learning to be accountable and not perfect is a great skill for the future. I would like to raise awareness that leadership positions are not only about building a resume, but also about developing skills that will help you succeed later in your career. Leadership positions can teach skills like conflict resolution, communication, empathy, and adaptability that can’t be taught as well in the classroom. Leadership positions are among the things that will always stick with me, even as I approach graduation this year. I challenge readers to put themselves out there and pursue the leadership positions available to them on campus. I hope this article will be the push you need to take on those positions and also serve as a guide to prepare you for what is to come.
