2. Describe an important skill or ability you believe every good leader should have. Why is it important? (200 words or less)
The most important quality of a leader is to have a vision for the future. I believe this is important because the leader is the one who makes the decision for the entire group and that making the right choice is the most important. I believe a vision refers to having a strong direction of where to head next. There are few people who know what the best is for the company. Usually, it is the vision that often shapes a leader’s personality. A person with a vision is strong and confident in his actions and speech. Being a leader doesn’t require the highest intellect because a leader embodies a group and so his reputation and personality is just as important as his intellect. A group wants to be known for growing or knowing what to do next and therefore a leader who carries a sense of direction is most important. A good example is President Barack Obama. He may not be the smartest man in USA, but he has a vision. People voted for Obama because they believed in what he believed in. Therefore I believe vision is one of the most important qualities of a leader.
3. What do you feel are the most important leadership skills you have learned or improved from your involvement in a Junior Achievement program? Please explain.
Junior Achievement (JA) has been a valuable opportunity for me to develop stronger leadership qualities. Some of the qualities include confidence, competence, cooperation, decision making and organization. I believe these are the most important skills that I have learned because these skills are applicable to my life, not just a career or a program. At the first meeting, I sat in the corner with strangers on both sides as we listened to the Advisors. At the first meeting we introduced each other. I remember timidly smiling at everyone with no words coming out of my mouth. I thought I didn’t have anything worth sharing as I was someone from a moderate family and moderate life. The people at our company were very welcoming which made me feel comfortable talking. I made my first contribution by volunteering to write the product ideas on the board at the next meeting. After that, I became the Vice President of Human Resources (HR) and started to make decisions for the company. JA has helped me become more confident in participating in group discussions and contributing my ideas. Before JA, it was difficult to voice my opinion openly, but I feel that I am more certain in what I say now after the experience of making friends with 20 new strangers and talking to customers in community markets, trying to sell shirts for charity. It was working with other individuals with passion towards a similar vision that made this project special amongst other programs. Throughout this program, I have also gain competency in dealing with company problems such as maintaining records and official documents or encouraging group discussions or participation when company morale is low. I have acquired the experiences needed to take minutes and write meeting agendas, maximizing the time the company spends together every week at the meetings. I have learned to communicate and update the company when it is crucial such as obtaining the information for shares from members who cannot attend the incoming meeting. In JA, the company often branches off into departments to discuss updates and work towards solutions to problems the department faces. This allowed me to develop the ability to cooperate in both small groups which require more discussion and large groups which requires more listening. Again, I was shy at the start of the program and I listened for the most part. But as I was given more opportunities to speak especially in small groups, I took them. Eventually, with more opportunities, I began to develop a habit to participate in discussion both in small and large groups. Community markets and shareholder meetings also require me to cooperate with Customers when they have concerns or shareholders when they have questions. As a Vice President of HR this year, I learned to make some decisions for the company. I didn’t have the experience to make good decisions before JA, but I have acquired experience to make better ones. The reason why these skills are valuable is that everything from school to family requires them for success. Cooperation and confidence are always important when dealing with classmates, family members and colleagues. I believe that JA was a very beneficial experience.
