Be a Leader for Your Community, Not Your Résumé

However, a plethora of leadership positions doesn’t benefit the community — it hurts it.

First, students tend to spread themselves too thin. By nature, most Choate students are overachievers; it is not uncommon for one to occupy several roles on campus. Ideally, this system would allow students to demonstrate initiative and responsibility.

However, the unfortunate reality is that most holding multiple positions don’t manage their time well. At Choate, it is easy to overstretch and pile on too many commitments. As a result, those with multiple positions tend to prioritize certain clubs, or worse: they disregard them altogether. This results not only in sloppy leadership but also in inactive clubs.

Furthermore, in Choate’s club system, the standard of selectiveness has been raised far too high. One applying for a leadership position must have unique qualities — responsibility, accountability, and ambition — that distinguish her from her peers. In the cases of some publications, one must also prove her worth by completing excessively challenging test edits and needlessly lengthy written applications. Leadership positions, especially of the more competitive clubs, are far too hard to come by — resulting in unhealthy competition for those vying for the same spot.

Another drawback to having so many “leaders” on campus is that the idea of leadership, in itself, is lost. A leader is not only defined by the skills she possesses, but also by a group of attentive, respectful followers. Yet if all students are leaders, who is left to be led? The idea of leadership only works because a leader has followers — not everyone can be a leader.

What, then, makes a true leader?

True leaders are fueled by passion, not by alternative desires.

At Choate, determination to receive leadership roles is often interchangeable with the desire to mark down an important title to present to colleges. “Leadership” has become nothing more than another bullet point on résumés.

This system is morally incorrect. One should only consider being a leader if one is passionate about the topic at hand. Choate students should keep in mind that leadership positions are not steppingstones to a perfect CV.

Become a leader for the right reasons. If you are a Gold Key representative, don’t feel sad because there are many more who share the same title — appreciate the service you’re providing for the School.

If you’re a copy editor of a publication, don’t think about potential promotions — worry instead about the grammar on the pages you’re supposed to edit. If you’re running for JC Representative, don’t fill your speech with empty promises to secure your position — tell your peers why you’re passionate about representing the student body on the committee.

Always bear in mind that leadership roles are ways for you to prove your ambitious zeal to yourself, not to colleges.