Six weeks into my internship with the Centre for Fundamental Rights at the Hertie School. Over the past six weeks, I have developed skills that will help me in future jobs. One skill that I have reflected on is leadership. This week’s blog topic has made me reflect on past leadership experiences before arriving in Germany. Before my internship with the centre, my idea of leadership was viewed as taking initiative, organization, and guidance. I value the opportunity to take charge when needed. 

My time at the Centre has made me rethink what leadership looks like, being in a different environment. Leadership might not be the same compared to past work experience I have had. Being in a different country where the policy and academic setting of authority are different shapes leadership. I have learned that leadership does not just consist of directing others, but listening and allowing others to contribute. I have experienced this more with my internship with the Centre. 

Before coming to Germany, I saw myself to be proactive, structured, and team-oriented. In a university setting, during classes, I usually take charge of group projects. My internship is different, where I am given more tasks and told what to do. When it comes to group projects, I usually listen to the plan and am assigned a task. One task I was given was to learn how to use the technology equipment in the auditorium. There is an event planned where I am in charge of making sure the projector and microphones are working properly. 

I have learned that with some of the tasks I have been given required me to figure things out on my own. During my second week, I have been given an assignment to create an infographic based on using certain programs used by the Hertie School. I have been given a lesson during my first week on how to use the program. When it came time to execute on tasks, I was told to figure it out myself. I was quite nervous because I didn’t know how to meet the standards of past interns. One of the things I did was locate past events similar to the one for which I was creating an infographic. I looked to see what went well and what did not work. Based on that, I pulled from those designs to make my infographics. 

Being part of a workplace that is cross-cultural, the leadership style is different. People who are here are from different parts of the world and have different experiences with authority and structure. Throughout my time with the Centre, I have noticed that German natives tend to be more in leadership positions than others. Being in an academic setting, there is a wide range of perspectives. The German workplace is very direct and formal. When it comes to communication and feedback, it can be seen as your supervisor being very critical. This does not mean they would have anything against you. It is just the way that people communicate in the German work environment. 

Something I have found challenging is identifying areas where I can demonstrate leadership.  Throughout the past six weeks, I have learned a lot about what it takes to be a leader. I have learned when to talk, when to listen, and when to take initiative without taking over. I have started to see myself be a leader in small tasks that I have been assigned. For example, one task I was given was to collect research data from different groups in the office. I then had to summarize the findings from each group into a report. I learned how to work and collaborate with other groups without being in control. 

Another area that I have started to see myself improve in has been dealing with setbacks. At the beginning of my internship, I  tended to hesitate when given a task due to the lack of instructions. Over the past few weeks, I have started to become more comfortable with the ambiguity of being given a task. I have learned how to problem solve and ask for help when it was needed. I created a process when being given a task to make sure that I follow through what what I am being asked to do. 

In the next two weeks, I am going to be helping the Hertie School prepare for its Graduation Ceremony for the graduate students. This opportunity provides me with the chance to build up my leadership skills. I will also be able to learn from the communications team and how they manage a large event. Many moving parts to this event, and the staff need directions. I look forward to the upcoming weeks.

Agrawal A #01