Before this internship, I would have described my leadership style as efficient and goal-oriented. I viewed leadership as setting clear expectations and being able to maintain a strong work ethic. Most importantly, I find that it is crucial to create an environment where people feel motivated in what they do and how they contribute. I truly believe that leaders have a direct impact on the performance of others, which is why we must stay organized and lead by example!
I have always enjoyed pursuing some sort of leadership position. Even throughout high school, I held board positions in multiple clubs and honor societies, which all served as experiences that have helped shape my confidence in public speaking and management. Currently, as president of the Women’s Club Rugby team at the University of Pittsburgh, I regularly coordinate with teammates and coaches in order to help foster an inclusive and positive environment. My experiences have helped me to understand the value of collaboration and being a team player, especially in the role of a leader. Because of my familiarity with the culture and social aspects of leadership in America, I was able to cultivate these skills confidently.
However, working in a foreign country has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and has enabled me to experience different kinds of leadership styles. Particularly in the environment that I am working in, my role requires a lot of empathy as well as cultural sensitivity. I have had to adapt to different cultural norms and shift my understanding in order to fully grasp the perspectives of social advocacy and different legal frameworks, as I am not originally from this country. I quickly learned that leadership is not necessarily about achievements or directing others; it is also about building trust and understanding different views through active listening and compassion. That is not to say that working towards a common goal is not a priority, however, the combination of all of these points can produce the best outcome in leadership style.
Given this new experience, I am much more reflective of my actions and how I can serve as a leader to those around me. I have always been open to adapting my views when going into unfamiliar situations, but now I am even more committed to this. Leadership requires flexibility and being able to learn from others rather than relying on what I already know. While my past methods of leadership may have served me well in America, I have much to learn when it comes to international viewpoints, and it would be bold of me to assume that my methods alone will always produce the most efficient solution. As for navigating my way through the French culture, I have absolutely strengthened my abilities to communicate across these cultural boundaries, while improving my French skills in the process. This whole experience abroad has been largely about navigating uncertain circumstances and remaining flexible, and that has most certainly carried over into my leadership abilities.
I have recognized that there is no single definition of leadership, as there are many ways to be a leader. The most effective leaders take different approaches depending on the challenges and the environments they encounter. Before this internship, I mainly associated this concept of leadership with one’s ability to take initiative and ensure that tasks were being completed in a productive manner. While these qualities are important, I have broadened my thinking to see the bigger picture, and I have expanded my understanding of what it means to be a leader. I want to amplify the voices of my colleagues and work together towards meaningful change as opposed to simply managing tasks and productivity. To be a leader is to take a step back and understand the needs of the people you are working with. It is not always about taking charge, but rather identifying ways to support one another and collaborate together.
Through this internship, I will continue to become a more adaptable leader. I have learned to not only focus on achieving results, but also create an environment where I can empower people to contribute to something meaningful. It is so important to foster a space where people feel valued and understood, and that is what I want to emphasize most through my leadership style.
