CORINNE

LEAD COMPETENCY

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Definition

Action that shows the way or shows an example for others.

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Criteria

• Listen to those around them

• Organize people, thoughts, and time

• Can take charge

• Aware

• Actively engaged

• Courage

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        In my sorority I have been given a lot of chances to learn how to lead. The situation

in particular that allowed me to grow the most was when I was social media chair. I was elected

to the position because of my interest in the different social media platforms. I thought it would

simply be a small addition to my work load because social media is something I spend a lot of my

time cultivating. What I found was that every post and every word in every post needed to be checked

and approved by six different people.

         At first I was steamrolled. None of my ideas were accepted and they would shoot down anything I wanted. They would force me to post things that were not exceptional and were outdated.  The girls of the sorority were not happy with my work, because it was not really my work. No one was happy. I soon realized that I was not taking charge of a situation that was within my jurisdiction. I had to stand up to the advisers who really did not have the authority to tell me what I could or could not post. It was not easy to tell them what I was doing whether they approved or not, but it proved to be better for the organization. After posting what I found was best, our interaction increased. Members of the chapter were also happy because they were being represented on the page more and felt like it fit our organization better.

         I had to learn how to fight for my ideas and my position. Because I was elected to an existing position it was not only my job to take over, but to make it better in any way I could. Sometimes you have to stand up to a process that doesn't make sense even if you are alone. I gathered the courage to make my position more effective and it has lasted through the last three officers to hold the position after me.