Before this internship, I would have described my leadership style as very values-based. Through a variety of experiences, from leading Mini-THON and captaining my soccer team in high school to holding leadership positions in my fraternity, I’ve learned that I naturally lead through my values. I believe strongly in treating others with respect, making ethical decisions, listening actively, and creating environments where everyone feels heard and valued. This style has served me well, helping me lead teams effectively while keeping people motivated and focused on the right priorities. It’s the type of leadership I aspire to carry into my career, one built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a strong ethical foundation.

That said, my experience here at DeltaTech-Korea hasn’t necessarily challenged my leadership style. However, it has really highlighted how different leadership structures can look in practice, and more importantly, how those structures can impact the overall morale and efficiency of a team. One of the biggest cultural differences I’ve observed while working in Korea is the strict adherence to hierarchical leadership. Interns, junior employees, even mid-level staff, aren’t really expected to contribute beyond what they’re specifically told to do. Insight, feedback, and even questions are usually expected to flow from leadership down to everyone else. In this type of environment, I don’t feel like a leader at all. In fact, I feel quite the opposite. I’m told what to do, I ask my supervisor when I’m confused, and there’s not much space to offer ideas or take initiative.

For someone who’s spent most of their life in leadership positions, this has honestly been frustrating. I’ve been reminded over and over again that not every role will allow me to lead, and not every team environment encourages feedback or contribution from every level. However, this frustration has also been really valuable. It’s given me time to reflect on the kind of leadership environment I want to be a part of, and eventually, the kind of leadership culture I want to foster when I do step into more leadership roles in my career.

What’s become clearer than ever is that I don’t align with hierarchical leadership structures. I’ve seen firsthand how these environments can lead to frustration, lower morale, and even a disconnect between employees and leadership. People don’t feel heard, valued, and feel like their work matters beyond checking off the next task their boss gave them. From what I’ve observed, this dynamic often leads to resentment and ultimately, inefficiency. When people feel equal, respected, and part of a shared mission, they are more motivated, more productive, and simply happier to show up to work. These aren’t major realizations, but seeing the impact of hierarchy this close has reinforced my belief in the value of people-first leadership.

While I haven’t had the chance to actively practice leadership in this internship, I’ve learned a lot from observing leadership styles I don’t want to replicate. I’ve also been humbled by this experience because it’s a reminder that no matter how many leadership titles I’ve held before, sometimes I’ll be in positions where my role is purely to support, learn, and follow. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just a different phase of growth. Still, it’s clear to me that I’m much more motivated to pursue leadership roles in my future career because I dislike feeling voiceless in a workplace. I want to create environments where others feel heard, not stuck in silence.

Outside of work, I’ve been keeping busy and trying to maintain a sense of balance. One thing I’m proud of is how I’ve stayed disciplined with my studying for the SIE exam. After work, I’ve been studying every night, and I spend long hours on weekends grinding through material. It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure. I haven’t been able to travel much because of how much time I’m putting into this, but I know this preparation will pay off when it comes time to secure my junior summer internship. It feels good to know I’m actively setting myself up for future opportunities, even when the work isn’t glamorous.

That said, I’ve also made sure to find small moments of peace and enjoyment while in Korea. This past Friday night, I went for a long walk along the Han River, which was honestly one of the most relaxing things I’ve done since getting here. After a long week of work and studying, just being outside, seeing the city skyline, and walking aimlessly was exactly what I needed to reset.

I’ve also stayed committed to my hobbies while abroad. On weekends, I’ve continued to DJ in my free time, which has helped me feel more like myself even while living halfway across the world. Keeping up with this passion reminds me that there’s more to life than work and career goals. Even when I’m in such a structured work environment, I can still find outlets where I feel complete independence.

Overall, this week has been another reminder that leadership isn’t always about titles or opportunities handed to you. Sometimes it’s about patience, about observing what works and what doesn’t, and about deciding what kind of leader you want to be when your time comes. Regardless, I’m confident that my values-based approach will serve me well in the long run.