Leadership Philosophy

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I have always been a shy individual, taking my time to become comfortable in different situations before I stand out as a leader. When I was younger, I found myself labeling myself as a "follower" while those who were loud, outspoken, and popular as "leaders". Despite this very narrow perception of leadership, I slowly began to grow as a leader by seeking for leadership roles. Through my roles of being Community Service Coordinator of Key Club and a teaching assistant at Tzu Chi Academy, I broadened my definition of a leader. It is not about the attention one receives but the impact of my actions to the individuals around me. An effective leader is organized, determined, open-minded, responsible, respectful, and a good communicator. All these key principles are the foundation to an inclusive and functioning team. Through this development, I found my passion in helping others as I enjoy collaborating with care and respect for each other.

Leadership is never stagnant and will continue to evolve over time. My leadership continues to grow throughout college as I realize an important aspect of leadership: feedback and reflection. Providing and receiving feedback is a mutual collaboration in which both parties can understand their strengths and weaknesses. Keeping an open-mind and listening to other perspectives are essential to reflection and self-improvement. Through the different people I meet and form relationships with, their stories and experiences are unique in which something valuable can always be taken from their stories. Through meaningful collaboration, a supportive community will lead to everyone’s success. Thus, to me, everyone is a leader. A leader is someone who is purposeful with their actions, stays motivated to reach their goals, and utilizes various leadership competencies to empower themselves and others.