Here’s to the Ones Who Made You

I was once told by one of my leaders while working at summer camp, “some people are natural born leaders and some people are learned leaders.” I wasn’t sure about it at the time, but I quickly came to see this as truth and the understanding that I am very much a learned leader. I was not a leader growing up- in fact, I was very dependent as a child. I was the kid who needed my older sister to order for me at McDonald’s because I was too shy to speak to strangers. I didn’t make decisions and I certainly did not lead the pack. Growing up, if I had a big decision to make, I had to consult at least three people for advice. I needed someone to follow. It’s crazy how time can change you.. Today, I’m the furthest thing from the child I once was, who needed her big sister to order her McDonald’s.

How does a child like that become a leader? She is molded by the people around her. I can think of a number of people throughout my life who helped make me who I am today. Each one of them taught me something different about who I am and who I want to be, and each one of them made me stronger in some way.

Who you spend your time with matters. None of these people forced me to listen or learn from them. They weren’t people I had to spend time with. I chose to be around them because something told me they were good for me. And because they were there for me in a positive way when I needed someone. They took the time to love and lead me, and the impact of that has been lifelong.

This is why I do what I do, and why I take my role as a leader so seriously. I now have the power to make an impact on others the way these leaders did for me. Because of my influence, someone else may become what no one ever thought they could be. This lasting impact, more than anything else, is what I hope to accomplish. This is my purpose.

Today, I make my own decisions and I order my own lunch. I’m not afraid to go places and do things by myself, and I enjoy thinking things through on my own. Of course, I still appreciate having mentors and friends to go to when I do need to seek advice. But because of the leadership I was given throughout my life, I learned to lead myself. And because of that, I can lead others.

I am a product of many great leaders who poured into me throughout the years. Mentors who got me through the tough times and taught me how to be strong. Leaders who had patience with me and made an effort to teach me how to be a leader myself. I’ll never forget what they gave me. Because of them, I am who I am today. Because of them, I am brave, and I can confidently lead others. This is the impact of great leadership.