MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
Regarding Leadership 3
Debunking Common Misperceptions
by Annabelle Aceituno, Guest Contributor
In a world where life will throw many challenges at you, having the ability to lead with the end in mind is a crucial skill to learn. However, the word “leadership” can be very intimidating or overwhelming for many because of misconceptions that cloud our view of how an effective leader behaves. It takes time, practice, and experience to become a great youth leader for your community, so this article dives into clearing up the common misconceptions, so you can begin your youth leadership journey with a clear focus. Leader vs Boss A supportive leader is not a boss.
Leaders do not have any more power than any one of their other peers, they just decide to use their power and voice to inspire others. Bosses simply delegate their tasks to others with one-way communication. Leaders work with their team and strategize tasks with the overall end goal in mind.
The Right Way There is not only one right way to lead. Being yourself is the best way you can start your leadership journey. Finding your strengths and weaknesses will help you learn in what capacity you thrive. Great leaders come with experience, so the more you practice how to share your voice, the stronger and louder that voice will become. Implore and broaden your leadership potential, see guidance from those you view as a leader in your life, and research how you can be that positive impact you want to see in your community. Teaching Leadership Leaders are not born as leaders. Leadership is a teachable skill that anyone of any age and background can learn when taught the proper principles to apply. Exploring opportunities, such as MADD’s Power of You(th), is a great way to find experiences that will help you practice your leadership in different settings.
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