Welcome to the very first post of the Honorable Blog!
I will talk about this video, if you'd care to watch it first: TED: How to start a movement. (5:41)
(The first couple minutes are relevant, the second half is something else entirely.)
One of the mission pillars of the FHSU Honors College is Leadership. Leadership is something that can be difficult to properly define and complicated to accomplish. We ask our Honorables to consider Leadership, very broadly, as "working with others to achieve a goal." We believe it is about more than having a title or being the one in the front of the line.
In the video linked above, the speaker talks about what he calls the first follower. He goes on to explain how the first follower may serve an even more influential role than the original leader. This is a very important point, and it relates to how the Honors Colleges looks at Leadership.
Not all of our students are going to be the one, as he says, "to stand out and be ridiculed" or be "the lone nut." Some of them will. We're here for that too; we're all about balance. The video shows how the first follower becomes equal to the original leader, and then becomes a new leader. The leader started something unique and the first follower created the environment for others to safely join.
We still value the lone nut, the innovator who has big ideas, the starter--definitely! Do it proudly! So how do we include those who are more adept to follow? This is how. It's ok to lead in this way. Supporting leadership is crucial. Without it, there is no movement. If you actively support your fellow Honorables, your fellow Tigers, your faculty and staff, your community--you ARE a leader. Young members of your family and community will see you. Those you're serving and supporting will take note. Your friends may be positively influenced. The groups and organizations you help to progress will be more successful. That sounds like Leadership to me.
How do you define Leadership? How do you practice it?
