Leadership
Quality leaders should have three main objectives: integrity, focus on people, and the ability to make difficult decisions. Above all, a leader's influence either ensures the success and cohesion of a group, or its destruction and failure.
"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Integrity
The quality of integrity is having a high moral standard and being honest in your interactions with others—whether personal or professional. I have learned when it is difficult to make decisions with integrity, that is when integrity is most needed. I view integrity as one of the most important qualifications for leaders. In fact, to me, integrity is not simply a quality or a principal, it is a way of life. Living an integrious life means maintaining respect and dealing justly. I hope to live my life in such a way that if my personal integrity is ever called into question, everyone I work with and anyone who knows me will instantly disagree with those statements because they know they are false based on past experiences with me. The ability to know right from wrong, to hold steadfast to moral and ethical principles, and to actively strive for that which is right—even when everything is against you—is the key to effective leadership.
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It's about the People
I have been fortunate to hold a variety of diverse leadership positions, as well as to learn from wonderful leaders. I have also had my fair share of leadership missteps or blunders, as well as work under ineffective leaders. Through it all, I realized that one of the most important components of leadership is the people. As a leader, it is essential to learn what skills a person possesses and how they can best utilize them on a team. This knowledge not only fast-tracks goal attainment, but also helps that person feel successful and fulfilled as a team member. Additionally, a leader must be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and how to use them for the success of a team, organization, and - quite frankly - towards any decision they make. From January - May 2018 I was the lead of my capstone group at the Bush School. During one of our meetings, everyone discussed their strengths and shared their level of satisfaction and fulfillment in the group. A member of the group did not feel their strengths were being utilized, so I spoke to the member separately and made an effort to find a way to utilize their abilities. It seems like such a small thing, but I know our team is stronger because of the skills offered and the satisfaction of the team in working on the capstone goals.
Difficult Decisions
A trademark of a good leader is the art of making the best decision regardless of popular opinion, as well as the ability to navigate any discord afterwards. As a supervisor over a group of English teachers in China, I had to make some difficult decisions that some in the group did not agree with. They were unaware that I had discussed these decisions at length with my co-supervisor and our bosses. I knew I could not criticize them or make excuses for my decision, so instead I pulled aside each person and talked with them individually to address their concern and address it properly. Although some were still unhappy with the decision, they did feel validated that I respected them individually, but had to make a decision for the group as a whole.
Leadership in Action - A Duty to Fulfill
Being a leader means ensuring that decisions are made with integrity and focused on the best interests of the people. At the Bush School, in Ambassador Napper's Diplomatic Negotiations course, we would run through simulations with a theoretical country. Each student rotated through roles including Ambassador, Human Rights/Diplomacy Expert, or Non-Proliferation Expert. During one simulation, I was the Ambassador. This particular day we were dealing with a situation involving Human Rights and Non-Proliferation concerns. The way it played out, I (as Ambassador) had to make a difficult decision to pursue one or the other. I took feedback from my "staff", listened to their information, and asked opinions. Ultimately, the decision rested on my shoulders. I made a choice, the best choice in that situation, but it still meant that I had to evaluate the costs, focus on the best situation for the people, and then make the difficult decision. I know in the future I will be put in leadership positions where it will be necessary to evaluate, focus, and make difficult choices. I will use feedback from experts, intelligence and factual data, and leadership skills I will continually develop and improve upon to ensure the best possible decision is carried out in order to best serve my country.
"Let future generations understand the burden and the blessings of freedom. Let them say we stood where duty required us to stand"
- President George H.W. Bush