Growing up, we were taught in school that we need to learn and practice leadership skills. This included joining clubs, getting involved in some sort of organizations in and out of school, signing up for a leadership position, etc. This experience will look good on our resume and college application--whether that is for the application to the undergraduate universities or graduate schools.
As I grow older, I find that being in any leadership position will help me in my personal life and even inspire me to make a difference in the world. As an avid reader, I love reading the news and this habit has given me a chance to learn what I care most about. I cherish reading about world leaders such as President Barack Obama, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Francis, etc. These leaders have changed many people's lives for the better and they have given new opportunities to individuals who truly need it. President Obama, for instance, created Obamacare which provides health insurance to millions of Americans who cannot afford one. Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the other hand, helped thousands of Syrians escape the civil war in their homeland and provided them a place to live in Germany. Pope Francis prayed and worked toward helping the very poor; on his 80th birthday, rather than celebrating this special day with his colleagues, he invited a group of homeless people to have breakfast with him in Rome. All of these leaders want to make a difference in other people's lives and it is apparent in their action.
With that being said, I believe we do not need to be in a leadership position to make a difference. Each person can be a leader in his or her own way; we all can change other people's lives by doing small act of kindness and by being open to the very needy. Each of us has an innate gift that we can use to serve other people. For instance, a person who knows how to play the piano can volunteer at a local hospice or nursing home and play for the sick there. Or we can also volunteer for the voting booth, educating the public about the importance of voting.
I find that looking up to people who have no leadership position help me to define what is a leader. A leader does not have to have a title or any position in an organization. They can be normal people who walk on this earth. The only difference between leaders and followers is their mindset. A true leader thinks differently than other people; they think outside the box and use creativity to fulfill their goals. Also they have different qualities than the followers. A leader take initiatives; know their strength and weaknesses; love reading; always work toward being a better person; embrace mistakes and learn from them; and last but not least, know that there will be people who will never like them and there will be people who will always stand by their side.
A great example of a good leader is Anne Frank. She was not a government official or a child of one, but rather she was a Jewish child who had to hide from prosecution. Her journal has inspired young readers to make a difference in their lives and to up their game in life. She once wrote," How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." I was a kid when I read that quote but it inspired me to wanting to make a the world a better place.
In conclusion, leaders are people who desire to change the world. They yearn to be the maker of change and have no anger if they are excluded from the world because of their actions. They have goals and they pursue them, even if getting criticisms is a sure consequence. They do not give much attention to the fact they have a small group of friends or not being the popular one. And best of all, there is a light in them and it keeps them going in the darkest of days.
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