In a world full of followers, how are leaders identified?

What does it take to be a leader? There are so many different opinions, perspectives, and ideas in this world that come with being a leader that it’s hard to narrow down a specific definition. Leadership isn’t just about being the boss and making sure things stay in order; it’s about being a role model and an example to those who that, whether you know it or not, are always looking to you for guidance and a friend

Recognizing potential. We see it everywhere. In relationships, in school work, in band students. This year I’ve learned that being a leader means recognizing potential, especially in freshmen. They don’t know anything. They are tiny baby ants crawling through the ant pile hell that is high school, carrying loads twice as large as their bodies on their backs. Everything I do as a leader is reflected in how they act and handle themselves for the rest of their time in high school. So, for example, if I’m yelling at one of my amazing little young lady freshmen horn players because she just isn’t getting the marching technique down fast enough, what does that say about me? It says that I have no problem with possibly emotionally damaging a 14-year-old girl who just began a very new and different sport in which she has no idea what she is doing AND I have no problem with her thinking that from that point on it is okay to yell at and embarrass those who make mistakes. My yelling doesn’t help (at least not all of the time- a good yelling can solve a ton of problems every now and then). This is where recognizing potential comes in. You have a choice. You can yell at your freshmen, which some people will do, or because you see these kids working their tushies off trying to be the best possible thing they can be for a band program, you can find an alternative that is efficient and will make them not only respect you as both a leader and a friend, but listen to you in all situations; whether it be marching band, concert band, a bad Spanish grade, a bad first break up, etc.

Understanding that things happen. High school is hard. I think most of us can agree on that. Students experience so many different things and have so many feelings (gross). One of the biggest things I had to do this year was understand that things happen, things change, and you have to try your very best to adapt and accept it because it’s inevitable. You are GOING to face something that really sucks. You are GOING to experience something that will change your opinion about a person, place, or thing. And you are GOING to make mistakes. My job as a leader is to help the people in this band, no matter what the circumstance. My job is to be understanding, help without judgment, and provide knowledge to those who have the lack thereof. I make mistakes myself and I don’t always do everything perfectly. Knowing this and accepting this about myself helps me better understand and accept that in others. Yes, expectations are held high when I want to see someone succeed and I will push someone to a breaking point if it means that they are better for that in the end, because I do that to myself. But when in the back of your mind you know that things could change at any moment and the Earth could be taken over by aliens and they could want to destroy everything that is who we are and we could all explode into smithereens and you are ready to provide your guidance, that makes you a leader, and a good one at that.

Dedication is everything. Dedication is the very foundation of the Pride of the East. Without band students who want to work hard and succeed, our band wouldn’t be as great as it is. Marching band is an incredible example of dedication. Nothing makes me happier than seeing band students pile up on the parking lot, ready to help their band succeed, at 7 a.m. after a long night of swimming through a sea of homework and responsibilities (there might have been a hint of sarcasm in there, but not much). They even spend the last month of their summer coming to band rehearsals every day to achieve better marching skills and learn stand tunes and show music. That’s a choice; they don’t have to come to rehearsals, they don’t have to be in band. But they choose to because it’s what they love to do. And that brings me to my next point. Being dedicated isn’t just about being willing to sacrifice all of your time and work hard, because anyone can do that and slack off; but it’s about loving what you do. Being so in love with it that you remember the smell of the morning dew on the football field at 7 a.m., the feel of the cold brass touching your fingertips in November when the season is coming to a close and it’s starting to get chilly outside, the sound of all of the cracked, out of tune notes in the Mellophone section first thing in the morning. Everyone who is a leader will understand what I mean. Everyone who is a leader is in love with band.