“Let’s Talk about Leadership” blogs feature thoughts on leadership from current graduate students at the University of South Carolina during Leadership Week 2020. What happens when leadership is awkward? Hear from Elouise Cram, master’s of social work student in the College of Social Work. She is the Co-President of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement chapter at UofSC and the College of Social Work Linda M. Summer Social Work Pioneer Award recipient, in this blog.
Let’s face it: it’s awkward being the only individual who speaks up in class, or who volunteers to lead an event. Why is there a connection between vulnerability and being a leader? Is it fear of failure? Fear of reprimand?
When I ponder leadership, I think about how at this time in three short months, I will be partially responsible for people’s lives and helping individuals make informed decisions. That’s WILD! But it’s also a distinct form of leadership. I think we’re too quick to dismiss acts of everyday leadership in our lives for fear that others will disagree with our decisions or think we are doing what we’re doing for nefarious reasons. We need to be better about giving ourselves credit for how we manifest small efforts of leadership daily. One doesn’t need to be the president of a club or run a million-dollar charity event to be a leader. Everyone has the inner ability to be a leader; we just repress or tell ourselves we’re not good enough or utilize a million other excuses. If we are willing to be vulnerable with ourselves, our friends, and everyone else in the world and showcase our amazing talents and abilities, we are able to demonstrate this inner propensity toward leadership.
This vulnerability to allow ourselves to recognize ourselves as leaders is in congruence with many of our values as human beings, so why don’t we do it more often?
Elouise Cram is a master’s of social work in the College of Social Work. Elouise is the Co-President of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement chapter at UofSC and the College of Social Work Linda M. Summer Social Work Pioneer Award recipient.
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