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I hate to be the one that brings this up, but my brain immediately went to everything going on with Penn St. while reading this article.  Everyone is a leader.  Leadership is everyone's business. So how do you use that leadership?  When given power, how do you react?  Do you act with integrity or do you abuse your power? Do you do good for others or make their lives more difficult?
These are the questions that are important to ask when you are in different positions of leadership, whether that be President, Secretary, or a General Member.  Despite popular belief, you can make an impact.

In the case of the unfortunate scandals at PSU, every person was given the power and accountability to be a leader.  However, the execution of their responsibilities to others and their university was lost in translation.  Integrity plays a huge role in the balance of leadership and power.  Acting for the well-being of your constituents should be the main goal, however many people get greedy or power hungry. Sometimes this is because of the structure of the organization.  Other times, it is how the person came to receive "power."

So how do I personally relate to the idea that "Leadership is everyone's business?" It probably depends on what setting or situation I'm in, but usually I buy into this idea I just sometimes have trouble putting it into action.  When I think of this phrase, the word "followership" comes to mind.  Just because you aren't necessarily in a position of power doesn't mean you can't lead from within.  From experience, I appreciate so much the person in the group who is walking the walk.  They are attentive, dependable, and ready for anything.  Those are the people that I trust because they are truly exemplifying this idea. 
Taking this phrase to another level is adding the concept of "power" onto it.

So, why is leadership everyone's business?  In a democratic sense, leadership literally is everyone's business.  People vote on who will get the power and represent them.  In a more corporate or business sense, the person chosen to lead the company is representing a brand, employees, customers, trustees, and more. 

Now we have chosen our leader, whether they were appointed, elected, etc.  People have given this person total trust on their skills and ability to make decisions.  One of my favorite ideas from the article is the type of leader you will be by how you use your power.  Do you coerce people and make them feel pressured to do things or else they will get in trouble? Hopefully not! But if so, don't worry! You can change that environment if you so wish! The leader I strive most to be is one with Referent power, who has a mutual respect for others.  They do work because they respect this person, but because they are scared.  Culture also plays a large role in this as well, while some have more respect for a more authoritative personality.

While you hope that every person in a leadership and powerful role will keep the best interest of others at heart, this is not always the case.  Corrupt leaders may not have started with an intent to be "corrupt" and sometimes the hierarchy of an organization feeds that.  However, those that don't know where to stop have crossed a line of integrity. Whether it be devaluing others (such as customers or employees) or breaking laws, corruption can have many faces.  Spotting this in a leader can lead to unrest and ultimately a change in power.

So, you may ask, why is this relevant? Well if you haven't picked up on this yet, leadership and power go hand and hand.  This stuff is everywhere! From your pastor at church, to your boss at work, or even your football coach.  What matters is finding these wrongdoings and actually doing something about them.  Like I said earlier, Leadership is EVERYONE'S business.  Not just the person with the power. 

Waiting on the World to Change (said in sing-song John Mayer voice)...

Here's the skinny: I really don't know where to begin on this topic because quite honestly, I am SO passionate about it and could probably type for hours on end until you are asleep on your keyboard.  Nevertheless, I will jump on in  and try and make sense of all the thoughts racing through my mind.

But why wait for the world to change? Why not, as Ghandi said, be the change you wish to see in the world?

I actually saw this exact report on Luma and the Fugees by Tom Brokaw awhile back when they were first starting off, so I've been familiar with this initiative for awhile now.  Reading the book however, and especially at this time in my life, made it seem so much more earth-shattering to me. I love the sport of soccer. Seriously.  I sacrificed my ACL 3 times just so I could play.  I love service.  There is no feeling like giving back.  And more than anything, I love people who DO something meaningful.  Not to say that sitting behind a desk every day isn't meaningful, but I respect a person beyond words who can give up everything in their life to essentially change the world.  That is what Luma did.  And when she gave up essentially everything, she gained more than she ever could've known.

The most obvious value from the Social Change Model of Leadership Development is Citizenship.  When Luma noticed a need in the ever changing community of Clarkston, she took initiative to make the town a better place.  She noticed the social boundaries that were built and could be empathetic, because she too came from a different country.  Even though Luma had the best intentions, many "good ol' boys" in the community did not share her views.  When Luma was trying to help the town grow, decrease gang membership, and build character she was met with resistance.  At first the City Council didn't even let her use a public facility that hadn't been utilized in years!  As difficult as that must have been, Luma persevered and continued to put the Fugees and her community first.  While some may not have seen it, Luma was bridging gaps way beyond creating a soccer team.  She was uniting boys from all over the world, refugee families who had no friends or families, and the residents of Clarkston to all believe that a community, although ever changing, can still be extraordinary and exemplify everything America should be. 

 Luma also showed great use of Collaboration, tying in with the ideas of community and citizenship.  Luma had to partner with the city of Clarkston to gain access to playing fields.  Luma collaborated to get funding for a team bus for the Fugees.  Luma collaborated each day with mothers and families to reassure them and bring then together through the Fugees.  Luma collaborated to tutor and later, create a school for the Fugees.  She realized that the power of one may not be able to do everything, but when partnered with others, can change the world.  Now, Fugees Families, Inc. exists for the sole purpose of helping refugee families so there is never another instance of a child going hungry or struggling to learn the English language.

Commitment.  Nobody can doubt that Luma is committed to her team and their cause.  It is so rare however, to find such commitment.  Luma saw a problem, addressed it, and put all of her passion into creating a plan of action.  Many see a problem and think "Oh, I should do something about that," then go back to their lives.  Luma, on the other hand, did something. She made something happened and as a result, changed a countless number of lives.  She was committed to changing the mindsets of the ignorant citizens of Clarkston and America.  Luma began tutoring for free, giving kids rides, and feeding them meals when the food stamps ran out.  She was their guardian who was around when their legal guardians weren't.  She let the Fugees change her life and because of that commitment, she is opening the eyes of people everywhere to the issues of refugee immigrants.

                                       Can't even handle how amazing this guy is and this message. Watch.  Be obsessed.

Luma leads in a way of "catering to her audience," as we have discussed in class.  When coaching the Fugees, she knows to be more vocal, aggressive, and inspiring.  When dealing with the people of Clarkston, she knows to be understanding and considerate.  When dealing with families of refugees, she knows to be empathetic and helpful. She makes people feel respected, but a mutual respect is expected as well.

Now, why do I love this story? I touched on it a little before, but this is essentially what I want to do with my life.  I want more than anything to start a non-profit organization or a company with giving at it's core (like TOMS shoes). Everything changed for me after my Buck-I-Serv trip to LA last year when we worked with homeless and battered women.  The people who ran these organizations that we volunteered at literally brought me to tears.  They were paid next to nothing, but did it anyway because they were making a difference.  They may not have been the richest in the world in terms of money, but these people continue to inspire me. I want to be like that. I'm not okay with going to work from 9-5 every day and leading a normal life.  I need to be passionate about what I'm doing and feel like what I am doing is making an impact. I've turned down job and internship offers for that reason. Some may think I'm crazy (haters gonna hate), but I think I can change the world.  I just don't know how...yet.  I'm constantly looking and keeping my eyes open for things I can do, but it is harder than it seems.  After reading Outcasts United and Luma's story, I know I can do it. It just has to happen when the stars align and the timing is right.
So until then, I will be actively waiting because you never know what your life's calling may be. And if you aren't going to change the world, then who will?

Here is more info on Fugees Family, Inc. http://www.fugeesfamily.org/index.htm

And my favorite place I volunteered in downtown Los Angeles. http://www.dwcweb.org/

What a View...

I really enjoy observing people. I once read that women always know what's going on not only at their own table at a restaurant, but at every table around them as well.  I am no exception to this rule of thumb.  I LOVE watching people, so this week's assignment was fairly perfect.
Because I couldn't make my consulting student org, this week I observed a student org I was once very active in, but have since backed off.  I will try to be as unbiased as possible in this reflection, while still providing insight on different things.

The Leader of this organization is someone who joined approximately one year before he was elected President.  He is a confident and smart guy, who definitely likes to have a good time.  Unlike many leaders of this org in the past, the current leader is a 3rd year student rather than a 4th year.  He is a very talented public speaker, and is incredibly relatable as he throw jokes in every now and then. The leadership team (or executive board) sits at the front of the room, facing the President who is speaking.  One takes notes and emails, while a few have side conversations that can be distracting at times.  A few of the E-Board members speak when their respective "topic" comes up. The leaders in this organization are viewed with a mixture of respect, but at the same time are still earning that respect from long-standing members.  The values of this organization seem to be something dealing with professionalism, first hand experiences, and socializing.


The members (or followers) of this organization are very entertaining to watch.  In a room with 5 different rows on different levels, people are scattered everywhere in different types of cliques it seems.  A group of 5 sits to the back, joking and chatting while individuals sit in the front, attentively paying attention to the President.  Many of the members sitting towards the front later step up at the end of the meeting as Committee Chairs.  These people gain different experiences through planning events and promoting them. There are a few members that sit by themselves in the back and do not socialize at all, nor are they involved in committees at the end.  Some just seem like they attend to add something to their resumes, or for the weekly socials the organizations throws. The members, with the exception of Committee Chairs sharing updates, did not speak during the meeting and listened.

I think there is a mixture of attitudes in this organization.  While some are enthusiastic and seem prepared to volunteer, others just seem to go through the motions and leave. It seems as if the organization is also struggling between finding a balance between "professionalism" and "social" activities.  I do know that many people have left the organization because of that reason, so it is something they continue to work through. I think many members take pride in this organization and love the atmosphere and people.  There is a certain brotherhood between most that is unlike many student orgs.  While not many people know of this organization, they are working hard towards becoming more well-known outside of its members.  I think while this organization has work to do in defining their purpose and creating a cohesive relationship for all in the group, they are on their way and I wish them the best!

I can now say I will never run a meeting or sit through a meeting the same after reading Emotionally Intelligent Leadership and doing this activity!

I remember when...

Recently, I have started to feel kind of old.  Not in the "Oh, my back is killing me, I need a walker" sense, but more of the fact that I'm growing up. I'm interviewing for internships, which will in turn lead to careers.  I'm in charge of student organizations and am the one making decisions, not following orders.  
 I remember being absolutely terrified and excited when it was time to journey to Ohio State for my freshman year of college but I truly had no idea what I was in for.  Looking back, I seemed so naive, innocent and any other synonym that means clueless. I'm sure I will probably feel that way in another 5 years when I look back on 3rd year in college Marlee, but seriously, the last 3 years have been the most impactful and life-changing of my entire life.

                                                                       Bright Eyed, Bushy Tailed and a tad clueless.

A huge reason for this change in myself is that fact that for the first time ever, I am forming my own opinions and actually understanding who I am.  

I call this life; the theorists call it Student Development.  To each their own.


However, it doesn't matter what I call it because the fact is, understanding students at such a pivotal time in their lives is a huge deal.  It is the difference between making college some of the best 4 years of your life, or just another year of sitting in the classroom.  In SLA, we help student organizations do the same thing.  Will it just be another year for the Executive Board, going through the motions of each week or will they decide they want to make a change for the better?  You can't make changes in ideas or leadership within others without first understanding yourself and HOW people learn and grow.  Think "What? So What? No What?" type of deal.


In my experiences (and Chickering's) students grow through experiencing rather than memorizing, making choices although sometimes they may be difficult, and embracing diversity through interaction with others.  Reading his 7 Vectors was like walking down memory lane for me. Now that I have started to understand who I am, as well as other people, it makes me a better facilitator.  It is much easier to relate to others when you understand where they are in their lives, whether that be "Managing Emotions" (that crazy kid freshman year who punched walls) or "Developing Integrity" (that person you know who is always walking the walk.)


Something I love about the staff and leadership at OSU is that they understand who we are!  Not only do they understand us, but they give us positive reinforcements to encourage that growth. "If students believe, whether right or wrong, that they matter to someone else, that they are the object of someone else's attention, and that others care about and appreciate them, they are far more likely to persist and succeed."  By applying this method to my leadership and facilitation practices,  I am investing into others and giving them that extra "umph" they may need to succeed. I am the person I am today because of that compassionate approach, and I constantly challenge myself to pay it forward. 

So yes, I may be a little older than I was a few years ago.  But my wisdom and knowledge (and not just about Earth Science 121) has grown exponentially and that is what college is all about.

Because who doesn't love being empowered?

My Leadership Lens

I Strive:

• To lead by example and "walk the walk."
• To make every person feel respected and important.
• To constantly be growing and never peak...Always moving upwards and onwards.
• To radiate positivity and hope to motivate others.

I Struggle:

• With confrontation and being assertive.
• Pleasing every person but myself.

I Assume:

• Every person has leadership potential, but not everyone grasps it.
• That everyone should want to be a leader.
• That leaders are successful and "go somewhere" in life.