It started again

My legs shaking

My mouth was getting dry

Escape was not an option

 

It seemed that it would happen every time

It did not discriminate

It happened whenever I was in front of a large crowd

how could someone like me be a leader?

When I did not posses a single characteristic stated by the trait approach l

 

The summer after freshman year

I finally had an opportunity to lead

A camp counselor for children

I could do this

Self confidence

A word that was almost non existent in my vocabulary

 

I took the supporting approach

Being a “friendly and approachable leader” (Northouse 117)

The campers did not look up to me

They did not take me seriously

I had to push myself outside my comfort zone

With a mix of both

I gained the campers trust

 

The next summer

I knew what to do

A balance of fun and authority

“High quality leader-member exchanges” (Northouse 140)

Is there a better combination than being directive and supportive?

I had motivated my followers

They wanted to be the best they could be

 

It tried to start again

But this time I had courage

I had confidence

I had strength

I had overcome my fear