Introduction to Student Leadership: Student Leadership Playbook 2. COMMIT

COMMIT to becoming a leader. When I first joined all the clubs I was not a natural leader. I was not even a natural member of the groups, organizations, and teams. Just like mentioned before I began to join many clubs, organizations, groups, and teams. I joined the chess club and began to play chess every Wednesday after school. I competed in UIL which are academic competitions. I joined the football team which I had wanted to do since I was very young. I joined the basketball team. I joined track. 

I was not an officer in any of the clubs, organizations, groups, or teams. I was not elected to be a leader. I was not selected to be a leader. I was just happy to be a member. I was just happy to be a teammate. I was happy to be a part or piece. 

The world will try to tell you that leaders are born. The world will try to tell you that you just have “it” or you do not have “it”. Perhaps some of us are born with “it”. What is “it”? Perhaps they mean some leadership gene. Perhaps they mean some leadership gift. Perhaps they mean something unexplainable. Whatever the “it” is, I did not have “it” when I joined the clubs. 

Can you relate to feeling like you don’t have “it”? Do you feel like you have “it” already? 

Whether you feel you have “it” or not you need to make a COMMITMENT to leadership. 

I remember feeling very disappointed when I made the B team in football. I remember feeling discouraged when I would lose in chess competitions. I remember feeling deflated when I thought I was good at basketball but again made the B team.

My coach told me something that changed my life. My coach told me, “It’s not where you start, but where you finish”. 

I watched as the student leaders would have success in our clubs. I watched as the student leaders would have success as an individual. I watched as the student leaders would win awards. I watched as student leaders became the stars. I watched as student leaders made our team successful. 

What I watched most was that the best student leaders committed to being student leaders. The best student leaders committed to being successful. The best student leaders committed even when the teacher, sponsor, and coach was not looking. The successful student leaders were committed. 

I watched and even when I was not the student leader. Even when I was not a star. Even when I was just starting I committed to being a student leader. Because I made a commitment to be a leader I began to do the things that student leaders do. I committed to work harder and do more. I committed to becoming more. I committed to becoming a student leader.

It's not where you start as a student leader, but where you finish as a student leader. You just have to COMMIT.