Kouzes Ch. 8

     I have compiled a list of quotes from Chapter 8 of The Student Leadership Challenge which serve to effectively summarize literally everything I have discussed,written, or spoken about on my own in Leadership Foundations this semester.

"Leadership is about relationships, about credibility, and about what you do" (142).
"No matter what your position is in your group, you have to take responsibility for the quality of its leadership" (144).
"If you are to become a better leader, you must first believe that leadership applies to you and that you can be a positive force in the world" (147).

And finally,

"Sometimes we imagine leadership to be something majestic--about grand visions, about world-changing initiatives, about transforming the lives of millions. All these are noble possibilities, but real leadership occurs one moment at a time. Real leadership approaches every interaction and every situation as an opportunity to lead" (153). 

After I have already said these same things in my own words - without reading this chapter - I was astounded to find that these ideas and ideals were already part of my repertoire: already part of my own leader. This realization brought me to the quote on page 157, "Leadership doesn't begin until you believe in yourself so much that you are willing to give voice and take action even if at the beginning the only person following you is yourself." Reflecting on this semester, I had the important, base leadership traits down; I knew what I wanted and what I valued. I knew I couldn't do it alone and that I didn't need a title in order to lead. What I have learned most from this class is to trust all of that knowledge - and so to trust myself. Kouzes says it plainly, "Leadership doesn't begin until you believe in yourself." And I can't allow my belief to jump up on its own in times of dire need. I must harvest it, grow it, and use it consciously: along with all the specific conflict, element, biological, psychological knowledge learned this semester. Leadership is a conscious effort, a conscious drive. Without Kouzes, but most importantly, without this class, I would still be asleep to my knowledge. I would still doubt it.