Why Doctor Who and Harry Potter are Great Leaders

Yes, I am making this post about Harry Potter and Doctor Who. You might ask how these two could possibly relate to a leadership conference, and primarily to a world where magic or time traveling do not exist. Well, I’m not making this post about the fantastic places where these leaders’ adventures take place, but about their admirable leadership styles. There are more similarities between the odd pair than you might think. 

To start with, both of these guys have maximized happiness in whatever way they could, despite the battles they might be in they always do the right thing, and most importantly they value the importance of their companions. 

Despite the situations they are part of both Harry Potter and The Doctor have always done the right thing. And not only that, but they have done the right thing and put others before themselves. I think it takes real courage to be able to do this. Most leaders are characterized by taking the spotlight, but how brave must one be in order to allow others to take it? Whether it was fighting Voldemort or the Daleks, these two leaders have admitted that if it were not for their friends or companions evil would not have perished. They value their relationship with others because in the end no one can do much on their own; and if they could, then what would be the purpose of it all?

What would have been of Hogwarts if it were not for Harry Potter? What would have been of the whole universe if it were not for The Doctor? It would have been a place full of corruption and deceptions. Who would like to be part of Voldemort’s army or be transformed into a numb Dalek?

Whether we live in a universe where we can travel in a TARDIS, we attend a school where Quidditch is the official sport, or we ride the Bee Line and are taught by humans, I think that there is a lot to learn from these respectable leaders.  

“It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.” 

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 

- Karla Boza, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Commmittee Member

Everyone Can Be a Leader...And Create Fellow Leaders

Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people. - John Rockefeller

I really like this quote because it shows that everyone should have the chance of becoming a leader and learning how to be a good leader. Many people would make good leaders if they had a chance to do so, but this is not always the case. Effective leaders should learn how to teach others how to become as successful as they have been in leadership so that more people will get a fair chance in life. 

- Filloreta Islami, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Committee Member

Knowing When to Lead

From the day we’re born we generally fall into one of two categories; the leader or the follower.  As a baby you follow what your guardians, siblings and other little friends do and say; it’s all a part of learning and growing. Then, one day you’re in first grade and your teacher tells you that you’re the line leader for the day and all of a sudden you’re on top of the world. Not everyone is cut out to be the line leader of the real world, but if you are, you better hope you can positively reach out to the rest of the class following behind you. I think that is one of the hardest parts of becoming a leader; control. Taking whatever “power” you have and making it a positive influence on those you’re impressing upon. Power and money seem to have taken over our world, our minds. Everyone seems to be looking out for themselves, which, to some extent, is understandable. But as a leader you need to look at the bigger picture, too.

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

-Nelson Mandela

I love this quote. I think  Nelson Mandela was trying to impress that leading doesn’t always mean being first, being number one or being completely in charge. As a leader you should know when you need to take charge and when you need to let others try and learn on their own.

To close, don’t be afraid to take the lead on your own life. You’re your own person. Don’t let others dictate how you feel, how you think, how you dress, who you love, anything. Life is too short to go to bed at night thinking, what if? Take control of your own life, be responsible for yourself, and learn from the mistakes you make.

- Regina (GiGi) Wickline, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Committee Member

Leaders Make an Impact

"The price of greatness is responsibility."

~ Winston Churchill

Hello everybody! My name is Daniella Valdes, this is my second year as RA here at Manhattanville College. I am also a member of the Leadership Conference Committee, which is in charge of planning the conference that will have impact on leaders. It can be on a daily basis, or a long term effect. Last year, the Leadership Conference had a day by day impact in my life. I hope that this year it can be a long term impact, because we will be discussing how our actions as leaders affect who we are.

The quote above connects, or makes these conferences complimentary. It is another way to say "If you talk the talk, you better walk the walk." If you decide to do something, knowing that what you are doing is wrong, you know that every actions has its reaction. To be great as a leader and make others overestimate you and follow you, you have to be responsible for your actions. As a role model, people are expecting the best from you to copy what you just did. Your followers act as a mirrors, they will reflect whatever you do. Everyone can make mistakes, however, you need to show others you are mature enough to take responsibility for your actions and accept you make mistakes. That makes you a great leader. Think about it and share your thoughts! 

- Daniella Valdes, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Committee Member

Welcome Back to the Manhattanville College 8th Annual Leadership Conference Blog

Welcome, or for some of you, welcome back to the Manhattanville College Annual Leadership Conference blog page! This page was created to keep all of our followers up-to-date on conference happenings, hear candid insight from the members of the Leadership Conference committee and give readers the opportunity to share information with conference planners and other student leaders on the topic of leadership. This will be a go-to hub of information about all things leadership. And don't forget to save the date for this year's conference which will take place on the campus of Manhattanville College on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 8:30AM in Reid Castle.

In the wake of one of the biggest elections in US history and some of the most significant social and political events in the Eastern World, it is only appropriate that this year we take a look at leadership through the lens of the public eye. Leaders can come in all forms, from the President of the United States to the Libyan rebels to the Occupy Wall Street protestors in Zuccotti Park. All of these groups can teach us a valuable lesson, either positive or negative, in leadership if we only take a moment to watch the things they say and do. So this year, our theme, “$H!T LEADERS SAY AND DO: A Learning Experience in Leadership Etiquette” will embrace those moments to help us all become more experienced in how leaders can be agents of change, solidarity and expression. From exploring how are actions can be perceived by others to what our Facebook pages say about us to having meaningful meetings and conversations, we hope to provide skills that will enable everyone to go out and be successful leaders in today’s global community.

This blog will be updated each week, featuring a special guest blogger from the Leadership Conference committee, who will update you on the current happenings of the committee, offer exciting updates for the conference and their own personal reflections on the “#H!T LEADERS SAY AND DO." We encourage everyone to feel free to leave feedback, ask questions and utilize this space to connect with other student leaders from all over the world. We hope that this blog will become a great platform to share ideas, answer questions and help every student become the best student leader that they can possibly be.

Keep an eye out for information regarding how to get involved in the Manhattanville Leadership Conference as well as information on how to register for the conference in the next few weeks. And as always, if you are interested in getting more involved by presenting on a topic related to our theme, "$h!t Leaders Say and Do: A Learning Experience in Leadership Etiquette," feel free to contact anyone on the committee or reach out to us at our email leadershipconference@mville.edu. We are looking to have everyone get involved!  I hope you will join us on Saturday, February 16, 2013!

-Kia Brown, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Committee Co-Chair