Our 2nd class with Mr. Silverberg focused mainly on leadership - defining what a leader is using all of what is said in actions by "leaders".
Interestingly enough, I had to check all the information presented with myself to see if I am a leader - do I hold any of the characteristics describing a leader. I mean, I'm calling myself a founder of a youth preventive type organization that uses hip hop to creatively empower people younger than myself.
I was not born a leader. I took it upon myself at around 11 or 12 to read Young Miss Magazines about being yourself, choosing good friends and what happy young women did to be happy young women. I read articles about community leaders that were a little older than I was then, but the articles inspired me, making me want to be a leader with the same qualities shared about the young women in the articles. The magazine gave advice on how to take care of yourself from the inside out as well. Those series of magazines changed how I saw myself. I followed the advice in the articles that brought self-fulfillment.
We discussed why people take leadership positions in non-profit organizations.
In reflecting what was discussed in class, I realize that P4P was founded to help young people the same way the magazine empowered me. P4P offers me self-fulfillment in seeing young people shine from advice offered them from the program curriculum.
The PowerPoint slide that sided Manager vs. Leader left me a checklist of what I know I have inside and what I know I need to build or acquire a team member with that strength I do not have. In the position I am in, how could I not?
P4P originated from a desire to prevent youth from self-destruction during spring break of 2004. Warren Bennis is cited on the presentation from his book "On Becoming a Leader" (pg 45) The manager imitates; the leader originates. That is only one of many examples I saw when I asked myself at the start of Mr. Sivlerberg's lecture, "Am I a leader?"
Honesty with one's self is something a leader must possess. You have to see proof of your capabilities in order to believe them yourself. I see the proof that can also be presented to others, as well as measured and evaluated by others.
I am a leader.
