Leadership, Personal Statement Example

If I had ever believed leadership was a basically simple matter of directing others to achieve a common goal, I recently received an education that will stay with me, I believe, for life.  At Diablo Valley College (DVC) this past spring, I strongly felt that the school should have its own sports club, one attracting both international and American students.  I determined to create the DVC Ping Pong Club, and gathered a group of student leaders to join in the effort.  That was, in a word, the easy part, because I began to face the challenges essential to leadership as soon as the unity was in place.  Promotion was vital, so I encouraged our team to let students know of the club in multiple venues, from campus tabling to in-class announcements.  As we quickly expanded to 100 members, I then needed to focus on organizing officer and general meetings, activities, and solid communication with the school’s faculty and the club’s advisor.  With each challenge came an awareness of what leadership must be, and I came to appreciate how a good leader, more than anything, interacts rather than directs.

I have found since then that my leadership skills evolve in each new setting, as the people and circumstances of each require new perceptions and approaches.  As the Activity Coordinator of the International Student Club (ISC), I know that my dedication to organizing the 2012 International Education Week, the biggest event at DVC, helped make it a great success.  19 tables from different clubs were involved, with 7 giving performances.  The organization was complex and demanding, yet I also came to better understand how effective leadership actually generates the help needed.  The event boosted ISC’s reputation and made it the largest club on campus, with 101 members.  For my part, there came a stronger sense of how awareness, consideration, and organization translate into the most effective – and rewarding – leadership.