How have the workshops and discussions on leadership this week changed your understanding of what leadership means?

I think I've believed ideas similar to those spoken about in our leadership training session; though, I think that having a meeting dedicated to reconsidering how we delegate and respond when things become complicated in group settings was a very healthy thing to do. It reminded me that leadership is often less about having authority and more about creating the conditions for a group to work effectively. The discussion also made me think more carefully about how different situations call for different approaches, and that good leadership requires paying attention to the people around you rather than relying on a single style.

How might you imagine applying one model of leadership during your Laidlaw summer on campus—either within the Laidlaw cohort or beyond this community? While we often associate leadership and leaders with seniority, how might leadership be modeled among individuals who are among the youngest people on campus (i.e. you!)?

Understanding the "how and why" to use certain leadership tactics I think will be helpful as I navigate both my research and my interactions with other members of the cohort. One idea that stood out to me was the importance of leading through service and support rather than position alone. As one of the younger people on campus, I don't think leadership necessarily means directing others. Instead, it can mean being reliable, helping others solve problems, sharing resources, and contributing positively to a group's goals. In a research setting especially, leadership can take the form of curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to help others when challenges arise. Even without seniority, those habits can have a meaningful impact on the people around you.