Leadership is not an easy word to define. Even the definition in Webster's Dictionary is simple and open to interpretation, "the office or position of being a leader". What is a leader? Is it merely just the position that makes the leader or is it the person that makes the position? In the quest to defining leadership one must take into account all the qualities that make a person worthy of following. For do not be confused anyone can be forced to take orders but it takes special characteristics to motivate and inspire.

So what makes a great leader? It is a combination of experiences and training. One must be able to learn from others; taking from them the positive examples they are shown. Yet they must be able to do this without losing their core values in the process. It is a careful balance of give and take. There are certain qualities that are essential for leaders. The following qualities are how I define leadership.

Leaders must be professional learners, in that they must realize that every experience provides them with a chance to grow. Keeping this in mind, leaders must also be competent in their field and should always be looking for new ways to educate themselves in their chosen field.

Integrity and leadership should always go hand in hand. One should always lead by example and not by command.Respect is earned when one upholds the standards for which they lead by.

Leaders should always be caring and have the best interest of the organization in mind when working to a common goal. It is important to value all employees no matter what their position. Every person plays a vital role in each organization and must not be taken for granted. A positive example will foster a positive atmosphere therefore making the best atmosphere for productivity.

There can be no true leadership without fairness. Fairness in how one treats others is important in gaining the trust of those who will follow you. Trust is best fostered when everyone feels that they are equal.

With true leadership comes the responsibility to communicate. One cannot perform without a clear and concise goal. Although goals are vital to any tasks, leaders realize that delegation and trust are just as vital. The best leader is one who teaches others how to lead by giving them the opportunity to reach the goal through their own ideas.

Through it all I believe that a leader should always remember that they will leave a legacy.  It is up to them to decide what traits others will see in them. My favorite quote comes from Tupac Shakur where he states, "I'm not going to change the world but I guarantee I will spark the brain that will change the world." Working with high school students has taught me that people are always watching what I am doing. It is important to realize that all our actions, no matter how small, can impact someone's life. Always strive to be a positive force.

Leadership will always be a complex term to understand. These defining characteristics have always helped me define my leadership style. Leadership perhaps can best be described as the ability to help others see that they can surpass expectations. It may seem like an impossible or unattainable task but through example even the most complex situations become simple.