Leadership Tools for Life

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margret Mead

Congratulations. The day you became an RA or a leader in your community you were chosen to be a member of this small group of people capable to change the world.  Whether we want it or not we have the ability to influence those around us in a positive way.  This year’s leadership conference is organized around the theme of "packing your leadership suitcase" and our goal is for everyone who attends to leave with the tools necessary for this journey.  When I became an RA I knew that I would now be responsible for a small group of students living in my building.  Not only would I be there for them as an ally but as a positive role model.  These students look to me for support and leadership.

When we leave college, we take with us the leadership skills that we have learned while at school and we can apply them to our every day lives as well as our careers.  In the business world, it is important to know the tools needed to take charge and help others.  During the conference, we want you to learn and grow as a leader and gain the tools needed to help us in the “real world”.  We hope you will be able to apply information such as resume building or how to conduct yourself on a job interview. There will also be opportunities for you to see how others act as a leader in their community. 

While doing research for this blog, I found some ways that anyone of us could become leaders.  I found five characteristics that every good leader has and I wanted to share them with you:

1) The first characteristic that any leader needs to have is the ability to plan.  Leadership means you are able to identify a problem and then work toward solving it before it becomes a crisis.

2) The second characteristic a good leader posse’s is vision.  Without a vision you wont have direction and with direction it is hard to accomplish anything.

3) Once a leader has captured a vision they must share that vision with others.  Being a good leader means working with others and by sharing with others your vision can grow.

4) A leader is not afraid to take charge.  You must be able to make a decision and stick with it.  Be confident with your decisions and work toward a goal.

5) Finally a leader inspires others by being an example that we can look up to.  Leadership is defined by action and by acting like a leader you will be able to inspire others.

Once you have gained these important tools you can begin to grow as a person and utilize them in your own lives.  On February 19^th you all will have the opportunity to grow as a leader.  We look forward to you all attending and I hope you have enjoyed this blog.

-Elizabeth Terlizzi, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Committee