My Personal-Best Experience of Leadership
I
1. For the past four summers I have had the opportunity to spend time in Northern Minnesota working as a camp counselor for a YMCA camp that specializes in outdoor tripping into the Boundary Waters. This summer I had the honor of leading a 14 day Boundary Water trip with only two campers. These girls came from troubled backgrounds; one, age 17 and a recent graduate of Teen Challenge the other, age 14, addicted to a cocktail of prescription drugs and constant attention.
Their backgrounds alone brought a challenge in itself with having to navigate the difference between truth and lie, trust, and self-confidence. While on trail we as a team encountered many obstacles such as the inevitable changes of weather, pushing ones boundaries; mentally, physically and emotionally and the constant reminder of self- confidence and ability to persevere.
As a leader a lot was on my shoulders. All the decision making, the safety of not only my girls but myself, and all the little details such as navigation, when we are going to eat, portion management, whether to push farther for the day or to stay comfortable. Being on my own in that way forced me to constantly check in with myself and check my very own personal values as well as our goals for the trip. A key component to my successful trip was thinking back to the way my very own leaders handled this trip. The self discovery I had out in the wilderness was comparable to nothing else I had ever done in a leadership position.
2.
a. Lead by example
b. Encouragement
c. Adequate preparation (mentally and equipment)
d. PATIENCE
e. Trust
f. Engagement & Excitement
3.
a. I learned to be incredibly patient and take small steps to reach the bigger goal.
b. Allow them to learn from their experiences; the good, the bad and the ugly.
c. Listen
II
1. Two leaders I look up to with great respect and admiration are my very own trip leaders of the exact trip I had the fortune to lead this past summer. I was a part of a team of nine girls, two being my incredible leaders. We spent ten days in the Boundary Water Canoe Area pushing out limits and discovering more about ourselves and our team.
2.
One of my leaders on this trip, Gratia Ratzloff made me feel the following:
a. Appreciated
b. Values
c. Confident
d. Competent
3.
a. Encouragement
b. Excitement
c. Positive role-modeling
d. Trust in me & the group as a whole
e. Drive to push harder
f. Engagement
II
1
a. Coach Jenny Brown. Not only was Jenny a best friend of mine but she was a positive role model. She was constantly inspiring me to do my best and providing me with physical, emotional and mental strategies to push myself further and harder for my success.
b. Vice Principal Shawn Hendrickson. Mr. Hendrickson told me once that I could do better and make a bigger difference. In that tiny bit of positive criticism I was inspired to take on bigger, scarier challenges throughout my high school years and was a constant reminder to always do my best and put forth 110% in everything I did.
c. Journalism Editor Advisor Judy Woodhouse. I credit Mrs. Woodhouse with so many of the skills I possess today. She was always a person of comfort when I was overwhelmed and was always present with a smile and full of encouragement. The best thing she game me was her trust. Her trust in my decisions and leadership choices and Editor and always had my back if I ever faltered.
2. My leaders:
a. Lead by example
b. Were positive
c. Encouraging
d. Inspired change
e. Source of advice
f. Engaged and connected
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