Not going to lie... perhaps I'm not exactly the blogging type because I'm not one for deep thoughts on other people's life questions... but I'll start here. I just saw the best picture from some of my chapter members from a recruitment event that took place today (...well technically yesterday). Here they are.. right down there. I am so proud of them; I am so honored to call them sisters. And I honestly, every inch of me, deep down loves each woman individually for who they are.
Seeing this picture reminded me of why I choose to be a leader. I choose to be a leader because I love Alpha Chi Omega, especially the members of the Alpha Omicron chapter as they are my closest sisters. I choose to push a group of 70+ members to be better than they were the day before because they make me a better person every single day. I choose to love each woman, "be her badge what it may." I actively choose every day to push myself to help my members grow, learn, excel, laugh, play and enjoy life. I choose to be a leader because I want to return to my members what Alpha Chi Omega has given me. I hope to inspire them to do the same.
Leaders push people to grow, to change, spread positive energy, and contribute to society in a meaningful way. Before interacting with the Social Change Model, as introduced by Sharrell and her lovely leadership literature, I understood leadership as everything that I described above: people doing things for a reason (loving an organization, blah blah blah)-- hopefully a reason that reaches beyond the ability to sign emails with the signature line "____, Chapter President"; but, I digress. Leadership prior to this experience has contained some negative thoughts: picking up the pieces when no one else will, implementing change with few people or alone because initial energy is lacking, listening to multiple problems with no solutions. The social change model alleviates much of that negativity and channels it into something productive. As a leader, while I listen to problems, it is my duty to probe for creative/effective solutions from those who see such problems. When I try to implement change, I shouldn't focus on the lack of energy but present the idea in a way that everyone is involved so the energy is naturally existing; it won't need to be created. The social change model can help my chapter be better. It can change the way women of Alpha Chi Omega contribute to society. But let's give it some time...
While my leadership philosophy is changing as I incorporate a new way of approaching it, one thing will remain the same... my love and passion for being a leader of the group that I am a part will never die. The education and experiences of leadership are for the women I hold dear to my heart. Here's to you ladies of Alpha Chi Omega -- here's to our leadership journey.
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