ILead is hiring Student Leadership Facilitators for the 2016-2017 school year! Student Leadership Facilitators facilitate, promote, and give feedback on a series of leadership development workshops for both undergraduate and graduate students (ILead Leadership Labs). They will leverage their experience as student leaders to engage others in skill development.
We asked the 2015-2016 Student Leadership Facilitators for their perspective on their role and leadership. Take a look at Rahul Goel‘s (Eng Sci 1T6) answers below!
What inspired you to get involved with ILead’s Leadership Labs?
Leadership has been a word I have been aware of for a long time, and in spite of being involved in various so-called leadership roles over the years, I have never specifically paid attention to what it takes to actually be an effective leader. Thanks to the opportunities I have had to grow as a future leader, the chance to get involved with the Leadership Labs to share my experiences and further hone my own understanding of what it means to be a leader are two aspects of the labs that initially inspired me.
What have you learned about yourself by facilitating Leadership Labs?
The greatest thing I learned about myself is how much I have left to learn. In fact, every experience I have been a part of in a leadership role, or otherwise, have consistently shown me how much more I have left to learn than what they actually taught me. Even though I played the role of a facilitator, I feel that I learned so much from my co-facilitators, advisors, and the students participating in the labs that I myself feel like the hopeful leader in-training. Teaching is truly the best learning experience, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity.
What has been your favourite moment or experience as a facilitator?
Watching my co-facilitators and advisors lead the labs along my side. I did not know any of them prior to joining the team, and admittedly felt quite confident in my leadership know-how and facilitating skills. That confidence quickly transitioned to admiration for the unbelievable level of skill, comfort, and passion the rest of my team brought to the job, and I strived to achieve their level of excellence. That experience was an eye opening one, and again highlighted how much I have left to learn and how fortunate I was to be selected as a facilitator.
What does leadership mean to you? Has your perspective changed since being involved as a facilitator?
I still cannot precisely define what leadership means to me, as my perception of it is constantly evolving. At present, I would say that leadership means putting the needs of others ahead of my own. I feel a leader, in any context, is someone who plays the most selfless role, looks for the positive qualities in every person and situation, and kindles that positivity to achieve great things. My perspective on the meaning of leadership has changed as a facilitator to one that emphasizes empathy and positivity as critical characteristics of any hopeful leader like myself.