Leadership Identity Development Model

I have some reservations about this model, but overall I really like it. The main thing that I do not like about it is the fact that it is hard for people to be honest with themselves about where they are on this model. By looking at the model, we can clearly see that it is better to be towards the right. So we trick ourselves and others and say that we are a few stages past where we really are.

I first saw this model in a workshop Shelly taught my Sophomore year. the next year I used this model with a group of freshmen I worked with in Emerging Leaders. I asked them where they saw themselves on this model and they all said stage four or five. I observed them closely and knew that they were clearly all in stage two or three. Liars. They were still very focused on positional leadership and such. So my first question is, do you think we can ever be truly honest with ourselves on what stage we are really in?

With that aside, what I love about this model is the idea of positional leadership. I hate seeing people on campus who bogart all of the "top positions" on campus. That may seem hypocritical coming from me, who is serving in what many see as the top leadership role on campus for a student. But the truth is that it's not. Every position is what you make out of it. But it's clear to me that there are many people on campus who feel the need to define themselves by their position.

The main reason why I see a need to educate people on the fact that positional leadership is BS is the fact that you can be a leader in social situations. For example, Mike Fabrizio kicked ass at the talent show tonight singing as Danny Zuco from Grease. There was no position there, he was just being a leader on campus as himself. I'm sure we all have examples of how we have served as leaders without a position, or served a position without being a good leader.

For me, I feel that I have been the best leader that I have been when I have reached out to other younger students as a mentor. I have helped a few freshmen work on issues with alcohol and grades and helped a lot of kids find their own leadership abilities. I never did any of that because of a position, it was always just because I thought I could help. I feel like that made more of an impact on campus than anything I've done as SGA President.

I wish a lot of people would realize that they don't need positions to be leaders. That way, you can be a leader amongst your friends, when you obviously don't have a position over them. this would help in social situations a lot.

Second Question, how have you served as a leader without holding a position for it?