Demonstrating Leadership

Demonstrated leadership is a quality that receives thoughtful attention in the college admissions selection process. As a former admission officer and member of admissions committees, the examples of proven ability and future potential were critical points of evidence within the application, the essays and the letters of recommendation. College applicants often contribute to the development of organizations within their high schools and their communities; some also provide leadership for organizations at the regional, state or national level. The value of an applicant’s demonstration of leadership is not in the quantity of listed organizations or titled leadership positions; instead it is the experience and lessons learned while serving as a leader at any level, within any club or organization, that the admissions committee values. How you make a positive difference matters. Did the volunteer organization distribute twice as many micro grants as part of a new fundraising campaign that you developed? Were the arts programs saved as part of your high school curriculum as a result of your advocacy at a school board meeting?

When considering the experience of leadership and lessons learned, it is worth asking: How do you lead? I posed this question to a highly accomplished retired officer of the United States Navy, Captain H.A. Seymour, Jr., former Director of Candidate Guidance (Admissions) at the United States Naval Academy.  Here is what he had to say:

“Thousands of books have been written about leadership and management.  Many do not understand the difference between leadership and management.  One of the best explanations of the difference between the two was given by the current Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, who defined leadership as, ‘The art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.’

As students embark on the post-secondary school voyage of higher learning, college admissions officials are hopeful that those selected to join the incoming freshman class will add skills to their college campus community, realize the potential seen by college admissions officers, and develop into true leaders.

Those who do develop into true leaders will not be content with the status quo, will not just let things happen, will not be deterred from achieving their goals no matter how daunting the challenge, and, will be prepared to affect transformative change throughout their lives.  A leader prepares armed with facts, vision, and infectious enthusiasm. A leader builds a team that selflessly works together to realize a goal (s) established by the leader.  History has many examples of such transformational female leaders, including women entering our nation’s service academies, becoming astronauts, and commanding Navy ships; these accomplishments are within recent decades.

The opportunity to develop into a transformational leader begins in earnest once you step onto a college or university campus.  A combination of four years of hard work, learning, and extracurricular involvement helps turn potential into reality.  During those four years of hard work, academic rigor, involvement, testing what traits are effective (or not) in the achievement of a goal, will you lead? Or will you simply go to class and little else? This is your choice.”

For the aspiring leaders out there, think about how you can demonstrate positive change in your high school, in your community and in your state.  Establish the goal, gather the facts, build a team, take risks and invest in becoming a leader.