Leadership As More Than a Title | Vasudha Rengarajan

Through the rose-colored glasses of my naivety, I had perceived the word "leadership" as simply a position of prestige and glory, of power and influence. I didn't find much evidence to teach me otherwise until late in my freshman year.

It was one of the many long car-rides to school. Music blaring through my shock-white headphones, I stared intently at a video on my iPhone screen. All the movement in the dance clip I was watching was so exquisite, strong and, well, perfect. That was the moment I had the idea for a new dance club, a way for students to express themselves through any form of dance and entertain the community simultaneously.

So I went through all the motions. I sought a faculty member to serve as an advisor, asked students to generate interest, filled out the necessary paperwork, and wrote up a three page plan for the club.

Then I learned that others wanted to join, and I was thrilled. But that meant I could not be president of the club. Instead, we formed a committee of officers without any leader in name.

 At that moment, I realized that I was absolutely fine without the glory, as long as I got to see my idea come to life. As of now, I still send out the emails to the officers, organize meetings, and contact community service venues. I love my job - I've found it rewarding to do the thing you love, even if there is no title.

Though I'm not president of the Harker Dance Club, I hardly call it a loss. Being a leader is about thinking about the project rather than oneself. Suddenly, there's a whole team larger than yourself, whose success you must account for. To me, that's one of life's most valuable lessons.