Stepping into senior year came with many responsibilities on my team that I had already prepared for. In many instances, becoming the captain of a team comes with many obstacles and daunting fears, however I felt the complete opposite. I was so ready to tackle leadership by the horns, and quickly realized how passionate about being a leader I was. With this role I wore many different hats. From managing team schedules and orchestrating practices, to bridging the gap between team and coach to provide clear communication. In addition, this role came with the task of defining myself as a leader. The team I had the opportunity to be a part of gave me not only trustworthy teammates, but valuable friendships through thick and thin.
Becoming a leader of your peers introduces the conflict between fear and respect, and how much is the right amount of each. My coach mentored me to become a leader with a calm demeanor and the ability to allow my teammates to trust my judgment and decisions. I gained their mutual respect, while becoming closer than ever. Walking the tightrope between seniority and friendship came easy when I was able to establish the leader I wanted to be.
Throughout that experience, I was able to form habits that set me up for success. These include intense organizational capabilities, management of time, clear communications with many different types of teammates, and many more. I believe becoming a leader at such a high caliber pushed me to grow in ways I would not have otherwise. This growth enables me to feel confident going into my future and confident in my ability to navigate my career with drive.
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