What Is Leadership?

What Is Leadership?
compiled by Afton Ginlock

Student Leader asked readers nationwide to share their ideas about leadership. If you want to learn how to be ethical, achieve your goals, and lead by example—this poll is perfect for you. If you have advice to share, visit www.studentleader.com and participate in our “National Leaders Poll.” One of your responses could be featured in an upcoming issue.

What is leadership?
“Leadership is someone who’s willing to make a difference. One who stands out and does positive things to which others can look and see what he’s doing. The most important thing about being a leader is being able to take the initiative and make it work. By doing that, others will see it, and they’ll respect you for it.”
—Garth Lampkin, philanthropy chairman
Beta Upsilon Chapter, Sigma Tau Gamma
Cleveland State University, Ohio
sigtau305@collegeclub.com

“Leadership is choosing a goal and becoming that goal in the eyes of the people who follow you. [It’s] being a symbol for them, to give them something to work for. To motivate people in the right direction, cheer them on when they’re frustrated and remain calm and steady in the face of opposition.”
—Megan Hannon, committee chair
Student Services
University of Rochester, N.Y.
mgem@mac.com

What’s the relationship between personal vision and effective leadership?
“To be an effective leader, one must have a personal vision of what they would like to see for the group or organization. When we take leadership roles, we see our own personal goals entangled with the goals of the entire organization.”
—Fatima Cristerna, co-chair
El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A.)
California State University, San Bernardino
f_cristerna@yahoo.com

“Within a group, one must first acquire a solid understanding of each member’s personal goals. They need to be able to visualize how each member’s goals support or conflict with the mission of the organization. Finally, they must understand their own position within the organization and envision how they can mesh their goals with those shared by their mentors and colleagues.”
—Andre Chappel, special programs coordinator
State University of New York State Assembly
Monroe Community College, N.Y.
andrechappel@hotmail.com

“As a leader, you can’t let personal vision get in the way or take over your position. A leader represents a team, and the team may not have the same vision as you. Everyone needs to work together to combine views and develop a team view not a personal one.”
—Melissa Auchenbach, recruitment vice president
Pan-Hellenic Council
West Chester University, Pa.
eisad@aol.com

Why is it important to lead by example?
“Leadership is advice. If you don’t follow your own advice, why should anyone else? To truly believe that people should [follow your advice] would mean that you view yourself above or different from them and that’s already a misstep.”
—William Wade Sutton, Jr., president
Interfraternity Council
Washington University, Mo.
wws1@cec.wustl.edu

“No one follows a hypocrite for long. An individual will lose faith in a leader who’s a member of a community only in name and not in spirit. If a leader doesn’t demonstrate what they expect of the entire group with their actions as well as their words, she will lose the trust and respect of her followers.”
—Annie Wingate, president
Phi Nu Chapter, Delta Delta Delta
University of Louisiana-Lafayette
aew0957@louisiana.edu

“It’s important to lead by example so others may be inspired, motivated, and encouraged to see and share your vision. Leading by example provides a foundation for trust, respect, and honor.”
—Kandy Aranda, regional vice president
Phi Theta Kappa
Community College of Southern Nevada
arandak@nevada.edu

“It’s important to lead by example so that future leaders have someone to look to as a role model. I’m fortunate to have had such role models in my life, and I strive to meet that obligation with students who I have the privilege of working with every day.”
—Michael Marcelli, governmental affairs vice president
Student Government Association
Wayne State University, Mich.
mmarcelli@gwlc.comcvvv

What’s your leadership slogan?
“Leaders don’t always lead from the front. The best leaders motivate others to step to the front, which may mean less spotlight for themselves but overall success for the organization.”
—Eric Armstrong, president emeritus
National Society of Black Engineers
Purdue University, Ind.
earmstr1@purdue.edu

“You have to build a dock for your ships to come in. As a leader, you have to be innovative and proactive in every aspect. You cannot wait for something to happen. You’re responsible to make it happen”
—Hon-Meng Chong, executive producer
UTVS Television
St. Cloud State University, Minn.
chmjuan@hotmail.com

As a leader, what’s your ultimate goal?
“To leave the organizations I’m affiliated with better off than they were when I first joined. Whether it’s through club improvements, university issues or by making an impact on the lives of those around you, I think it should be the goal of every leader to make a difference.”
—Josh Daspit, president
College Leadership Council
Lamar University, Texas
joshd141@yahoo.com

“My ultimate goal is to create more leaders with a greater vision than my own. This way, I’m able to be a leader far beyond myself; my leadership will stretch beyond my own self and continue when I leave this university.”
—Charla Roland, president
Panhellenic Council
University of Southern California
croland@usc.edu

“My ultimate goal is to leave my organization and the people in it better off and happier than when I arrived. If that just means setting a good example, then that’s all it means.”
—John Summerlot, residence director
Suttle Hall
Mississippi State University
jps5@housing.msstate.edu

“To help others make their visions come true!”
—Lisa Winter, member
Presidential Emerging Leadership Program
Pittsburg State University, Kan.
lisawinter81@yahoo.com

“To let others know, especially young women and minorities, that they have the power to make a difference."
—Angela B. Wilson, vice president
Student Government
University of Cincinnati, Ohio
wilsonabs@hotmail.com

How would you define ethical leadership?
“Ethical leadership is developing and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and dependability while sacrificing your own time to help others in the community without having the intention of any financial gain.”
—Paul Wichansky, Ph. D candidate/motivational speaker
A Vision In Motion
Rutgers University, N.J.
pstuart@eden.rutgers.edu

“Ethical leadership means helping others align their values in all aspects of an organization and the community. It means being honest, sincere, and straightforward with the people you are dealing with. Essentially, it is deciding what is right in a particular situation and handling it in a proper manner.”
—Patrice Boyd, president
Eta Xi chapter, Delta Sigma Theta
University of Tennessee at Martin
debpboyd@mars.utm.edu

“Being a leader without compromising your own morals and not offending others.”
—Sara Michelle Gjere, intern
Student Leadership Program
Fort Lewis College, Colo.
smgjere@fortlewis.edu

What inspires you to lead?
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds me that I must be the change I see in the world. Also, I remember that a positive attitude changes everything.”
—Caryn Winters, Arts and Sciences representative
Student Government Association
Loyola University, La.
clwinter@loyno.edu

“Change inspires me to lead. I know everything must change as time passes. However, to ensure that these happen with positive results for the students, I try to go the extra mile. If something affects one person, it has affected all.”
—Tracey Robinson, president
Student Government Association
Lemoyne-Owen College, Tenn.
sga_president@nile.lemoyne-owen.edu

Leadership isn’t…?
“A dictatorship. The leader is only as strong as the team that’s around him. Leadership involves brainstorming, creative ideas, and working as a team, not a boss running the whole organization.”
—Levi Kash Esses, student body president
Bethany College Student Congress
Bethany College, Calif.
essel@bethany.bethanylb.edu

“A power trip. No one wants to work with someone who has an inflated sense of importance. Real leaders make themselves accessible and available. Leaders can demand high standards while having an interest in others efforts.”
—Geoffrey Bennett, editor-in-chief
The Maroon Tiger
Morehouse College, Ga.
sirGRB@aol.com

“Looking out for your own best interest, nor is it looking out for the best interests of your group. Leadership is working on behalf of those who elected you to your position and thus looking out for their best interests.”
—Frances Rebecca Guerrero, graduate advisor
Golden Key International Honor Society
Washington State University, Wash.
frances@mail.wsu.edu

From where do you draw support and motivation as a leader?
“From people who believe in me. There are times when I don’t think that I’m ready to lead or that I can do it. For some reason, the people around me always feel like I can. Their belief in me motivates me to do my best. I have a problem with letting people down.”
—Valeria Pearcey, administrative coordinator
Division of Housing
University of Florida
valpal@ufl.edu

“Get involved because you have a passion for helping and working with others. Personal satisfaction is more rewarding than a dollar will ever be and will forever be remembered by all.”
—Kim Cleveland, student ambassador
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
kymnberlee@yahoo.com

“My executive board and friends all help me stay motivated and hopeful. In order to be a successful and efficient leader, one needs a great support network around them.”
—Brian Banks, president
Kappa Psi Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
bcooneyb@aol.com

In what ways do you empower other members of your organization?
“By ‘sticking to your guns.’ If the members of your organization see the strength you have in your own abilities and principles, they’ll rally behind your flag whenever you need them.”
—Wes Milligan, publisher
The Greek Chronicle
University of Missouri-Columbia
greekchronicle@hotmail.com

“Personal vision and effective leadership go hand-in-hand. Without vision, one never knows where one is going. Without effective leadership, one can never meet the vision which is sought.”
—Michael Marcelli, governmental affairs vice president
Student Government Association
Wayne State University, Mich.
mmarcelli@gwlc.com

“I try to help them maintain focus on the fact that this is their institution and nothing will change unless they work hard for it.”
—Tracey Robinson, president
Student Government Association
Lemoyne-Owen College, Tenn.
sga_president@nile.lemoyne-owen.edu

How would you define ethical leadership?
“Basing one’s decisions simply on the issue at hand by not holding any biases and taking past judgments into concern. It’s giving anyone an equal opportunity to gain the motivation or goal they’re seeking and treating each person with the same amount of respect.”
—Stacy Porto, president
Student Government
University of Denver, Colo.
sporto@du.edu

“Being respectful to others and never taking advantage of other people for your own benefit.”
—Hon-Meng Chong, executive producer
UTVS Television
St. Cloud State University, Minn.
chmjuan@hotmail.com

What is leadership?
“A characteristic found in an individual who exemplifies the ambition to influence or guide others towards specific goals, and who encourages those individuals to become prominent leaders as well.”
—Jeannie Lopez, member
Omicron Delta Kappa
California State University, Fullerton
jplopez024@aol.com

“Leadership means creating the atmosphere and the opportunities for your members to grow and excel on their own personal merits. Leaders are in a position to both eliminate boundaries that would hold the group back and create opportunities for the group to reach its full potential and beyond.”
—Jeff Parks, president
Beta Gamma Chapter, Sigma Tau Gamma
Youngstown State University, Ohio
jeffjparks@yahoo.com