Leading in the Classroom

My September leadership experience occurred in my freshman experience course.  Ethics and Capitalism are the subjects that we are studying in the course.  Our professors have given us two opportunities to split into groups and make presentations for the class concerning the various materials that we had been going over.  On both occasions, my group looked to me and one other girl to take charge and lead our team in an organized manner.  Along with my friend, we took the responsibility to prompt discussion within our team.  I encouraged everyone to give at least their opinion or input and to work with everyone else to finish our assignment and get the points on the quiz.  In both instances, my team won the points on the quiz.

In the same course, we have been looking at the various forms of leadership in capitalism and socialism and how the leaders in these government systems led their people.  We are reading Atlas Shrugged, and the portrayals of the two types of leaders are at opposite ends of the spectrum.  As the class discussed the capitalist and socialist sides, we all became leaders of our own viewpoints.  Those that agreed with the socialists led their arguments against those of us that led the arguments for the capitalists.  As a leader of the argument, I needed to conduct my argument in a respectful and informative manner, even though I disagreed with the other side.

Though I have not come across any major leadership roles yet, I was able to lead among my peers in class.