REP-PP Spring 2017 Blog:
Leadership
Blogger: Tie She` Chavis
Law School Year: 2L
Placement: U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs, Washington D.C.
Leadership is often characterized by ones’ career title. When placed in certain position of authority, it is automatically assumed that one is a leader and has effective leadership skills. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The word “leadership” is often misunderstood. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said it best: “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”
In other words, leadership is about getting people to follow you of their own volition because they believe in your ability to lead them to prosperity. People in positions of power or authority lack some leadership skills if they cannot get people to willfully follow them. Thus the value of “leadership” is essential in today’s society, particularly in our government.
I am fortunate to be placed on a committee co-lead by a senator elected into a leadership position who provides effective leadership to her constituents, her fellow committee members and American citizens as a whole as it relates to Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Her leadership is evident through her interactions with the majority and minority members, staff, the media and her constituents.
Senator [Claire] McCaskill’s leadership is also reflected through her committee staff, with whom I work daily. Their willingness to follow the senator’s work priorities and execute her mission is a testament to her leadership. It is apparent that when one is passionate about what they are doing, and that passion shows through their work, others thrive on that same passion and exemplify leadership in similar ways.
Leadership is a learned skill for most, but a natural skill for some. It is the ability to come up with innovative ideas in an ever-changing environment to reach a particular end state. It is doing what is right by your subordinates, even when it places your own agenda on the back burner. It is adapting and finding solutions to overcome problems. Most importantly, it is being loyal, respectful, self-less, having integrity and exuding excellence.
Leadership lies at the heart of the Aggie Core Values just as it is for the U.S. Army Core Values. Being an effective leader is essential to being an effective member of the bar and I am grateful that the Army has instilled in me the importance of leadership and Texas A&M has re-iterated that importance by requiring its students to be good stewards of society and uphold the Aggie Core Values.
Lead From the Front!