Leadership Reflection 2: Leadership Identity Development Timeline

Journal Entry

Throughout this week, I have not only seen others grow as a leader, but myself as well. I am currently volunteering as a camp counselor at a summer camp where kids from broken homes get to escape their worries and express their true selves. On the first day, my counselors and I met our campers and watched as they said goodbye to their parents. Immediately we noticed how nervous the kids were to be in a new environment where they weren’t familiar with any of the other campers. When activities begun the next day, a few of the kids were still hesitant on trying new things, such as archery or going down the waterslide. As counselors, we were asked to participate in every activity at least once, to set an example for the campers and make them feel more comfortable. This is similar to relationship behaviors, which “helps followers feel comfortable with themselves, with each other, and with the situation they find themselves” (Northouse 73). From us joining them in the activities and showing how much fun we were having, it pushed the kids to participate as well. As counselors we also showed signs of employee orientation, as we “took interest as human beings, valued their individuality, and gave special attention to their needs” (75). For example, one of our campers was feeling home sick which led to her sitting by herself and not participating with the rest of the group. I sat her down and let her know that she was not alone in how she was feeling. Trying to relate to her problems and reminding her that I was there when she needed someone to talk to made her forget about her homesickness. Another incident occurred when one of our other campers caught a fever in the middle of the week. So she wouldn’t feel alone, one of our counselors stayed behind to make sure she was staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. Making our counselors feel comfortable and not making them believe they were unimportant based on where they came from allowed them to express their true selves. Today is the last day I get to spend with our campers, and I am so impressed by how hard they have tried in their activities and making friends. I believe being a good leader means not only focusing on what you do but also the actions of others as well. My question to end is, do you think leaders act differently when put in a higher position?