My heart is beating quickly, my mouth is dry, and as I look at the familiar faces in front of me, their judging eyes make them seem like strangers. I struggle to get them to quiet down and we begin our hour long sectional, which I have to lead.
It was the first day of my third year in marching band and at the end of last year, with the graduation of the previous section leader, I was granted his important position. Being a competitive person, I was extremely self conscience of how my section made me look. I hated being blamed for their errors and was exceedingly harsh towards them during sectionals. I soon realized this method would not work and my individual, almost selfish competitiveness would need to be replaced with great leadership.
My transformation began when a certain member of my section was late and slowly walking to where we rehearse. I stood there with the rest of the trumpets, waiting for him to show up so we could begin. Once he finally arrived, I let out my frustration on him because it didn't seemed like he cared that he was late. I …show more content…
For the first time in my self-absorbed existence, I had to empathize with someone else and ameliorate another person's problems, instead of leaving them to someone else or just letting that person figure their own issues. In my desire to succeed, I had forgotten one of the main reasons I chose to be a leader: to work with and inspire others, not just hold them accountable.
Reflecting on this story, I realize how this leadership role has changed my outlook on handling problems with other people because it forces me to examine others' perspectives and mandates a greater capacity for empathy. Overall, the experience of being this type of leader has been key in my personal development as an adult and has transformed my zealous competitive self into a leader that cares about the well being of those who rely upon my
It was the first day of my third year in marching band and at the end of last year, with the graduation of the previous section leader, I was granted his important position. Being a competitive person, I was extremely self conscience of how my section made me look. I hated being blamed for their errors and was exceedingly harsh towards them during sectionals. I soon realized this method would not work and my individual, almost selfish competitiveness would need to be replaced with great leadership.
My transformation began when a certain member of my section was late and slowly walking to where we rehearse. I stood there with the rest of the trumpets, waiting for him to show up so we could begin. Once he finally arrived, I let out my frustration on him because it didn't seemed like he cared that he was late. I …show more content…
For the first time in my self-absorbed existence, I had to empathize with someone else and ameliorate another person's problems, instead of leaving them to someone else or just letting that person figure their own issues. In my desire to succeed, I had forgotten one of the main reasons I chose to be a leader: to work with and inspire others, not just hold them accountable.
Reflecting on this story, I realize how this leadership role has changed my outlook on handling problems with other people because it forces me to examine others' perspectives and mandates a greater capacity for empathy. Overall, the experience of being this type of leader has been key in my personal development as an adult and has transformed my zealous competitive self into a leader that cares about the well being of those who rely upon my