lead·er noun
an individual with strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills who inspires a team or organization toward a shared goal, objective, mission, or aspiration while cohesively involving each team member and their strengths and needs 

Leaders come in different shapes and sizes, from different backgrounds and lived experiences. While there may be common threads in the purpose of leadership, no two leaders are the same in how they manage, motivate, or organize their teams and the true nature of every leader is unique to their context. 

Much like Chef Gusteau's famous quote from the Pixar film, Ratatouille, "Anyone can cook," anyone can be a leader. Some are better prepared for leadership roles or naturally more leadership-oriented, but every individual has the capacity to lead and to be a good leader. 

From an early age, I was told I displayed the traits of a "great leader." But what did that really mean? Back when I was in elementary school, it meant I was able to take charge when no one else would step up ("leading" the class in cleaning up after an activity was seen as the peak of leadership for 8-year-olds). In middle school being a leader was being ASB President, and having authority over of a rowdy group of fellow preteens while planning a school dance. In high school, it meant knowing how to inspire my teammates to keep their heads up in the midst of a tough loss as their Captain and helping freshmen transition to high school as a Link Crew leader. 

In college, it meant so much more than a title or a job description. Leadership became a way of interacting with others, a way of viewing each experience as a learning opportunity, a way to see the potential in others and help them find it for themselves. Having formally studied leadership in different academic courses at UW, I can articulate my leadership style as being aligned with servant and authentic leadership styles, valuing connections with others above all else. Being a good leader to me is finding the right situational balance between being a leader and a follower (despite how much my selfish pride wants to be the leader every time) and focusing not on the authority gained, but the relationships formed through the leadership opportunity.