I measured success through checkboxes. I was the girl with the daily schedule that trickled from weekly, monthly and yearly goals that intricately followed a five-year success plan. Flexibility was not in my lexicon.
When I started the Excellence in Leadership (E-Lead) program during my sophomore year, my mold of perfectionism was radically changed by new ideas. The first semester was framed through leading oneself and articulating the vision we wanted for the world. Prior to that semester, I had never given myself the freedom to believe that my vision was pursuable. By focusing on my “why” – creating technologies that support women’s natural hormonal cycles – instead of outcomes, I had the permission to dream bigger, rooting my goals in impact. Our cohort’s visions were accompanied by exploring how our strengths, adversity, and incremental change could drive value creation.
As I transitioned to E-Lead’s next pillar, leading with others, the program gave me the tools to articulate the leadership concepts that I observed in value-creating executives. This was evident in my E-Lead shadow experiences, where I shadowed two C-suite executives across the United States.
I observed how independent hobbies improved those leaders’ association skills and their ability to innovate. Radical candor – clear, specific, and sincere feedback that upholds the dignity of another – was crucial to the executives’ foundational trust within teams. Leading through developing strengths rather than dwelling on weaknesses allowed the executives to lean on their teammates and create more inclusive solutions. This experience allowed me to translate my learning into real-life scenarios and reinforced my commitment to building authentic connections, pursuing continuous growth, and empowering others through their unique strengths.
While the E-Lead program has equipped me with invaluable leadership frameworks, the most important lesson that the program taught me is the importance of mentors who truly know you – your values, ambitions, fears and strengths – and ceaselessly support you in achieving your vision for the world. When I have questions about team conflicts, navigating discernment, or even personal relationships, I first consult my E-Lead support system. The program provides you with professors and mentors whose roles are to help students create an impact that the world has never seen. As program director Kate Trevey remarks, “Processes and products do not innovate; people do.” The concepts, inventories and frameworks in this program have shaped me, but the people have transformed me.
Reflecting on my time in the E-Lead program, my life is no longer defined by my agenda. My life is measured in deepening relationships, growing in value, and learning from failure. As a leader, I want to be remembered not for what I can accomplish, but the people I can impact.
