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You don't lead by pointing and
telling people some place to go.
You lead by going to that place
and making a case.
- Ken Kesey
Unique Leadership Identities.
In a leadership class, unique leadership identities go beyond traditional titles—they represent the distinct strengths, values, and approaches that each leader brings to a team or organization. Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s shaped by personal experiences, problem-solving styles, and the ways we inspire others.
A leadership identity could be the Strategic Organizer who turns ideas into action, the Empathetic Mentor who uplifts and guides others, or the Resilient Innovator who thrives under pressure and adapts to change. Some leaders lead from the front with vision and energy, while others empower teams by fostering collaboration and trust.
Understanding and defining your unique leadership identity is key to becoming an effective and authentic leader. It helps you leverage your strengths, grow in areas of improvement, and make a meaningful impact in the spaces you lead.
Me engaging with some classmates and my study abroad co-director at The Black Archives, a historical archive for black history, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Student Experience Advocate.
When I first arrived at the University of Washington, I fell into the isolation hole that many students find themselves in when they're at such a large institution. I felt disconnected and like I had no support. Throughout my college career, I discovered great people and finally found my community through a few different organizations. The common denominator that was present in any area and part of this process was that all of the people were students. When I eventually took positions at the Mentor Power for Success (MPFS) program and the Informatics Undergraduate Association (IUGA), I found a chance to provide assistance and opportunities to students in the academic, social, and career realms, giivng myself a sense of community and purpose.
Compassionate & Empowering Coach.
One of the most important activities in my life that provides me with both physical activity and a social environment is the sport known as ultimate frisbee. I've been playing the sport for over 9 years, and so I've seen my fair share of players and teams. I'm so in love with the sport that I wanted to find ways to give back to the sport and community that I love and care dearly for. I have coached several different teams at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and was a captain for the University of Washington men's club ultimate frisbee team, the Washington Sundodgers. I've also been an intern for the organization AGE UP who are dedicated to educating youth and creating a more just society through the sport of ultimate frisbee.
Read about my experiences here!
Me during a game (Washington vs Victoria) at a college tournament called President's Day Invite in San Diego, CA.
Me throwing up an enthusiastic "dubs-up" during a rainy game at a college ultimate frisbee tournament in Santa Barbara, CA.
Enthusiastic Team Leader.
A big piece of how I lead and leadership style in college is enthusiasm. Being excited, eager, and interested in the way things work, particularly in the classroom, is a mindset I consistently try to maintain with whatever task I might be doing. Whether it's homework for a class, a PowerPoint presentation, or a team meeting, having a mindset where you can create and carry a certain eagerness and zeal can make all the difference when faced with challenges down the road. As an informatics major, I take a variety of "INFO" classes, but none are more centered around the concept of leadership and work ethics than INFO 380: Product & Information Systems, that I had the pleasure of taking with Professor Samantha Harris. I had the opportunity to work with some great students on a project where we had to design and propose a new prototype application for a government organization that focused on deep sea fishing and geographic area tracking. Throughout the quarter, I found myself leaning into a leadership role within both my group and the class. What was really important to me was to attack these leadership opportunities with an enthusiastic mindset. What did this look like? Well, when we would have team meetings, I'd go the extra few minutes to talk about non-class related things with my group mates. Or, when we would run into roadblocks, I'd provide reassurance and even a hint of "levity" to influence the environment around me. While it was important for me and my group mates to learn and gain knowledge within the field of product management and information systems, learning how to take feedback, make tough decisions, and provide clarity all as a leader was equally important.
Read about my experience here!
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