Reflective Essay On Becoming An Effective Leader

Looking back on my younger years, it isn’t difficult to point out that I had difficulties relating to others my age. Of course I had friends, but I soon realized that I would never be comfortable in large groups like many other students were. I often found myself hiding out in the library and losing myself in reading and writing. Both options offered me an escape from social interactions and it wasn’t until high school that I realized that I relied on both a little too much. All through middle school I had the same small friend group that consisted of me and two other girls. We bonded over our love of learning and our intense focus on furthering our education, but mainly stayed friends because we didn’t relate to anyone else. However, they …show more content…
While they expected the same shy, insecure, little girl I had been six years prior, I was now ready to face the world and explore my options. I’m still an introvert and prefer smaller groups, but I no longer feel fear at the thought of a class presentation or group projects. In fact, I believe my status as a geek allowed me to become the leader I am today. I’m now proud of my academic achievements and others trust my decisions and follow my lead. My shyness allowed me to become a great listener and as a result, a stronger student and leader in my school community. In addition, my ability to excel in school allowed me to form stronger connections with teachers, in turn allowing myself to be taken more seriously by my elders. My exploration of who I could be continued as I joined more school activities and volunteered around the city. I continued to play volleyball, both in school and on a club team, and it forced me to become more assertive and work with others. As a result, it has impacted my life more than I ever thought possible; I’ve formed lifelong friendships, become more confident in my abilities, and found that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind