As my Choate career nears its end, I am grateful to have played an active role in the community. Through my roles as a prefect, Managing Editor of The Choate News, and Chair of the Committee on Student Activities (COSA), I’ve come to understand the importance of effective leadership, especially at a school filled with talented and diverse individuals. In one way or another, every Choate student assumes the role of a leader. Whether you’re the Chair of the Judicial Committee or simply an upperclassman who underformers look up to, it’s important to understand what it means to be a role model and a mentor.
Listen.
Everyone wants to be heard. You might find yourself having a casual conversation with your prefectees or planning a club event. In any case, as a leader, it’s your job to ensure that everyone has the chance to speak up and feel valued. It might be tempting to assume that your opinion is better than others, or, worse, to impose your beliefs upon others. Keep in mind, though, that everyone deserves to express his or her ideas. Initially, you may not agree with other people. But just because you’re in charge doesn’t mean that your views take precedence over others. Be willing to make compromises, and approach every conversation with an open mind.
My tenure as Managing Editor began last spring, in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida. Aware of our responsibility to cover the most pressing issues, the Masthead discussed every possible angle through which to cover the tragedy. The editors presented their ideas, and soon the whiteboard was covered in marker ink. Ultimately, we wrote an editorial on gun control and reported on walkouts in protest of gun violence at the local public schools. The contents of this first issue resulted from collaboration and communication.
Being a good listener also means being reliable and trustworthy. As a leader, you’ll likely be approached at some point by someone struggling with a some kind of dilemma. Your first response might be to share a similar experience of your own or to talk about what you would do in his or her situation. But as much as you might feel like you’re helping that individual, your actions could be doing the opposite. That person just might want to feel like he or she share something personal. It is your job to listen—and to hold in confidence what’s shared.
Communicate.
As much as leadership is about fulfilling your own responsibilities, more often than not, you will be working alongside other people. It’s easy to forget to keep everyone in the loop, but without proper communication, a group can never succeed. Maybe a faculty member replied to your e-mail about planning a club event, or maybe you made progress on a Student Council proposal. Whatever it is, sending a message to a group chat or writing a brief e-mail ensures that everyone stays informed.
Additionally, good communication means sharing information in a timely fashion. When you’re delegating tasks or calling a meeting, do so with advance notice. Waiting until the last minute can precipitate frustration and stress, and others are counting on you to be mindful of their time.
Stay organized.
It’s inevitable that you will be balancing your leadership positions with coursework, college applications, and other extracurriculars. It might be hard to believe, but it is possible to be both a successful leader and a busy person. To do so, you’ll have to manage your time well. Plan ahead. Knowing how much work you need to get done and when you need to get it done will set you up for success. Procrastination and bad organization habits don’t align with being a good leader. Keep in mind that your work as a leader differs from your work in a class or personal endeavor. What you do directly affects others working alongside you and, more important, the Choate community at large.
Be mindful.
Ideally, everyone working alongside you will contribute fully to the tasks at hand. But — especially at a school like Choate — your peers might have several other commitments to worry about, which you may or may not be aware of. If someone is late to a meeting or has forgotten to do something, know that he or she could have other things going on. If poor behavior starts to repeat itself, you might need to intervene. You should discourage laziness, but don’t sweat minor mistakes.
Know you’re held to higher expectations.
Members of the community will look up to you. You’re still a teenager, but being a leader means being mature and responsible. Do your best to make good choices. Although we’re all only human, it’s nonetheless disheartening to discover that someone you respect and admire made a bad decision.
Don’t be afraid to fail.
As cliché as it may sound, failure is inevitable. Though your role as a leader will be clearly defined in many cases, take some risks, and try something new. You could start a new initiative or try out a leadership style different from your predecessor’s. If you fail, learn from your mistakes and be open to criticism. The most effective leaders are never the ones who wallow in their comfort zones.
Remember your own needs.
There’s no harm in making time for yourself — in fact, it’s important you do so! If you ever feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to take a break. Postponing something to spend time with your friends or to get some extra sleep never spells the end of the world. In truth, taking regular breaks ultimately leads to greater productivity. Science has proved it!
