Defining a Generation's Leadership

"The Lost Generation"

"This video was created for the AARP U@50 video contest and placed second. It is based on the Argentinian Political Advertisement "The Truth" by RECREAR" 

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

When I first saw this video I was stunned. It really makes you think about your life, your place in society, your future and your potential. I feel that this video really encompasses all that leadership has to offer. Leaders are not made from a cookie cutter mold, shaped from theories in a book. Leaders emerge from hardship, from trying to fight against a status quo, from emerging out of the darkness of a "lost generation". It will take individuals with vision and courage to make what goals and aspirations that end the end of this video speaks about a reality; otherwise the beginning poem will hold true. 

I believe that I am not part of a "Lost Generation" I will make sure that I make a difference in this world and I will be a leader for a generation that still be finding its way. Our generation is not lost, we are simply trying to be found and what we may find on this journey can be simply wonderful.

When you watch this video I want you to ask yourself; which one you want to be your reality? And then how are you going to lead yourself and others to realize that goal. 

Happy Reading! 

Leadership can be defined as so many different things! What is your personal definition of Leadership? Please share so followers can understand your personal definition and add to the vast knowledge of leadership. Also, how do you personally feel communication functions inside of the leadership continuum?

Values Congruence

http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html

This is an amazing example of a major leadership practice that is used on college campuses and organizations everyday. The speaker, Simon Sinek, gave a presentation on TED talks about “Starting with Why.” The presentation, listed above in the link, is inspiring, influential and impactful. The key principles he states all have to do with his theory of staring with why. The why behind what an organizations stands for, the why of what we personally believe and live for, this why is the key to leadership. This theory states that people do not buy what you sell, they actually buy what you are representing in your final product. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Simon Sinek states many times throughout his presentation. This is extremely relevant information and explains how people process information and how leaders are able to influence follows. To be a great leader you must have dedicated follows who believe in the same guiding core values that you or your organization believes.  After viewing this video I have thought of a few action steps in order to incorporate the theories of “Starting with Why” into your daily leadership activities;

 

 

 

 

• Reevaluate your personal values.
• What drives you? What is your inner passion?
• Reevaluate your organizational value.
• Why does XYZ organization exist? What are you trying to achieve? What values does your organization hold?

• Express this to others
• Explain this follows, customers, employees, colleagues, and more...
• Stay consistent
• Make sure that people know and identify with your values and beliefs. Publish mission statements, values and policies for the public to see and consume.
• Create an end product that is in line with these values
• Make sure you “practice what you preach” in all your products and communications.
• Revaluate often
• Make sure you are always staying true and that you are making necessary changes and using feedback regularly. 

I recommend signing up for Simon Sinek’s daily newsletter called “Notes to Inspire.” This handy little daily email, sent directly to your message box, has a one liner inspiration quote in this topic area. Everyday I open my email inbox and these daily notes help keep me motivated, on task and remembering my core values. The website link is listed here: http://www.startwithwhy.com/About.aspx  and the link at the top right hand corner of the page is the sign up. It is a small sticky note icon that reads “notes to inspire.”

In closing remember always start with WHY. 

Calling all Greek Leaders!

When I think about my college leadership experience I can easily raddle off a list of programs, positions and seminars that I have attended to help define my leadership skills. This list, no matter its length or intensity, will always have one experience that stands out among the rest. That single leadership experience has made me the leader that I proudly am today and I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in it. The name of the program was UIFI; Undergraduate InterFraternal Institute. This program is ran by the North-American Interfraterntiy Conference (NIC) and is held each summer in at Indian University. It is an intensive, weeklong leadership seminar for emerging leaders in the Greek Community. Let me define Greek before we go any further, I mean Greek as in college social Fraternities and Sororities. I was proudly able to attend this conference representing my National Organization as the delegate for my chapter. I absolutely adored the experience. I feel that it is something that any college leader in the Greek Life Community should look into. I left the experience with knowledge, confidence, inspiration and the skills to lead my chapter in a bright new direction.

Skills that are imparted by this experience: Inspiration and Vision

I feel that being a leader can sometimes be a position with a “title only” connotation. Some leaders go through the motions in order to put titles on their resume or feel a sense of self-gratification. This institute goes so much deeper thatn this surface level. UIFI encourages members to TTP – Trust the Process and throughout the week the sessions get more personal challenging. Conversations about values and congruency occur and one is forced to think on a different level.  I left the institute with the overall theme of inspiration and vision to guide Greek Life members into a new stage of leadership.

Current applications are now available for this summers UIFI; Please encourage young, passionate and engaging Greek members to attend this conference.

http://www.nicindy.org/programs/uifi/

Welcome to this new "Active" blog!

Hello Dear Readers,

Let me introduce myself formally, my name is Christine and I am a Communication Studies student with a minor in Web Technology. I love the college experience. I have learned so much about myself, my peers and my career path from being an "active" college student. Let me first define what I mean by "active" college student. An active student is a one who is immersed in the college community, taking advantage of the many resources and opportunities an institution can provide to its students. I am extremely active in clubs and organizations on campus and have held numerous leadership positions. This blog is dedicated to my two life passions; communication and leadership. I feel that the two are closely related and I want to dedicate this blog to emerging theories, books, posts and other content that  pertain to leadership and communication! I hope you enjoy reading this blog, the posts will be updated frequently and many will be based on real life experiences along with expert accreditation. Hopefully this blog will help motivate individuals, both on the college level and beyond, to become "active" students, workers, friends or whatever role you play in your life. Happy reading!