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

After attending our first leadership retreat yesterday and reflecting on the global induction ceremony we had the morning prior, I feel that my understanding of the scope of leadership has vastly broadened. Initially, I had subconsciously figured that every student in the Laidlaw cohort resembled similar, more overt characteristics of leadership -- outspokenness, decisiveness, organization, responsibility, the list goes on. Yet, seeing the facets of Maya, Rowan, Sam, and Ellis, I was able to much more clearly see how differently each student operates under the loose definition of leadership. Even I was having trouble deciding which of the four -- analytical, expressive, amiable, and driver -- I was, which I suppose is the whole point of the exercise. That even the popularly despised "Ellis" carries qualities that are integral to making a group project successful. It made me think back to group projects that I struggled to manage in high school, when I exhibited too much Maya and Rowan and maybe not enough of Sam and Ellis. 

2. 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!)?

Given my retrospection into my past leadership experiences -- celebrating my successes and regretting leadership failures -- I walked out of the retreat with the genuine feeling that I had changed as a leader. I was able to see my faults on display and acknowledge them not as shortcomings, but as areas to be continuously improved. One area of my life I feel I can apply this newly reformed leadership to is my lab environment, where I often feel my junior-ness shining through. I hesitate to ask questions out of fear of sounding dumb or insert my own ideas that I feel could contribute to the team. I think being young can offer unique optimism, fresh ideas, and a strong willingness to learn, especially in an environment with more seasoned or experienced professionals. I have come to realize that while being the youngest may not be the greatest advantage, it can certainly have its own unique assets!