My leadership style has always been person-focused, empathetic, and with a goal to help others, not only by alleviating their suffering but also by empowering them to be their best selves. Traditional leadership styles, such as top-down approaches or transactional leadership have never suited my ideals. Through my LEAD 4000 course, I have identified leadership theories that more accurately fit my vision of leadership; systems change and servant leadership.
To be a sustainable leader, I firmly believe that one must steadily adhere to their moral compass, not wavering in the face of economic hardship or societal pressure. In today's leadership landscape, too many "leaders" have abandoned their vision for a brighter future by succumbing to the temptations of capitalistic success, which can never be sustainable. As a servant leader, I acknowledge that morality and ethical virtue are vital to leading efforts that produce lasting change, in part by ensuring that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, are included in our leadership mission. As leaders, we should ensure that the most marginalized, neglected, and historically underserved populations are at the forefront of our expeditions.
These groups must be uplifted, not only because they require urgent assistance but because they also have the most room for growth. The most influential and morally sound leaders have often led the most oppressed existences. I believe leadership efforts should not only focus on these populations but also involve them in our missions. Community is the most powerful tool for creating change and resisting tyranny; creating community with the populations we are serving is by far the most efficient way to oppose the oppressive forces restricting and abusing us all. By involving those within the communities we serve, not only are we accessing a vast trough of untapped skills, but we also have the ability to gain a first-hand perspective of what is needed within our leadership efforts. Ultimately, until we live and exist in the populations we serve, we cannot truly know what is required to address the needs of the people. By working with community members, we can learn precisely what problems plague these populations most and gain insight into the history of the systems that have led to current conditions. Viewing issues within a community as symptoms of a complex system is vital to understanding the structural components of these problems. Most of the issues that infect marginalized communities stem from systems of racism, classism, sexism, xenophobia, and ableism. By gaining a deeper understanding of these root problems, we can begin to make systemic changes to oppressive social structures. Thus, addressing the symptoms and preventing further hardship. Ultimately, working together to lead and engage the underserved populations of our world is critical to creating a more equitable future for everyone.
As a college student, it can be hard to feel like I am working toward the changes that I want to see in my communities and beyond. Often, I feel as if I am not doing enough to support vulnerable communities and push the boundaries of the oppressive regimes ruling over our lives. However, by simply existing, proudly, as a minority individual in America, I am inherently combating social norms and systems. By refusing to succumb to societal pressures to assimilate into the norm, I am challenging ideals around race, gender, sexuality, ability, and political ideology.
Currently, most of my tangible leadership efforts revolve around social justice movements and advocacy for issues I am deeply passionate about. For example, I frequently engage in marches for Palestinian liberation and educate others about the genocide. My most powerful tools for change are my empathy, passion, and devotion to community building. A hurdle I have encountered in the past few years is trying to build a community with people who directly oppose Palestinian freedom. It is exceptionally challenging, and oftentimes dangerous, to try to communicate and form bonds with people who advocate for the genocide of my people. However, to combat any human rights issue, it is vital to collaborate with the opposing side through empathetic dialogues and cooperative problem-solving.
Through my LEAD 4000 coursework, I have come to better understand the importance of storytelling as a form of resistance and community building. Thus, I have also been sharing my personal story to drive empathetic connections between groups with divergent ideals. By sharing my story as a Palestinian, I have taught others about the damage of the genocide and dispelled much of the misinformation about the Arab community. Additionally, by partaking in volunteering and protesting efforts for Palestinian liberation, I have strengthened my connections to the Palestinian community and our allies. Community building is, in and of itself, also a form of leadership as it allows you to build connections and extend your realm of social influence, thus setting you up in the future to be able to make a more influential impact with greater access to interpersonal resources.
Ultimately, while it may be difficult to fully engage in leadership effort during transitional periods of life, like college, it is still vital that we all use our voices to build community and spread awareness about issues that we are passionate about. Through volunteering, protesting, and remaining educated about world affairs, we can at least prepare ourselves for a future of leadership.
While my coursework in the Leadership Studies Minor is swiftly coming to a close, I hope to continue learning and growing as a leader for the remainder of my life. After my time at the University of Colorado Boulder, I plan on obtaining my Masters in Public Health with a focus in epidemiology, B.S. in nursing, and Doctorate in Nursing with a focus in Public Health. Throughout the remainder of my educational career, I hope to gain more experience in leadership through volunteering to aid underserved populations, reinforce my understanding of social inequities through public health coursework, and continue to develop my understanding of my place in this field.
Regardless of the exact position or company, I end up working for after completing my education, it must be one that values diversity, community, and collaboration, one that's committed to reducing health inequities across the globe. My purpose as a leader in this world is to create a more equitable future for all; I will not rest until I can fulfill this goal and see a world where everyone has the same opportunities for growth and well-being.
Of course, there will be difficulties in achieving this exceptionally lofty goal. Social pressures of conforming to ideals of individualism and monetary gain will always be present, at times feeling completely stifling. Nevertheless, as a servant leader, I cannot allow my efforts for change to stray from a moral and just path. As an intersectional minority, I can never achieve the future I want and live in a world without oppression unless I work to build this reality. Unless we as leaders work to liberate the most oppressed individuals from systemic inequalities, the development we make across the globe will always be limited, never reaching its full potential. To survive as a species, we must ensure that we care for those with the least access to resources, even if this means completely altering our social structures and systems. If we do not care for those in need, we will see ecological and economic devastation, suffering of unimaginable magnitudes, and depletion of our vital physical and conceptual resources. Ultimately, we will have created an unsustainable world for us all, even those with the most power, if we do not take on this vital leadership work.