leaders

I didn't mean to be disrespectful, but when I was invited to speak to a group of student leaders at a prominent college, I asked what they had done to justify the label "leader." Most responded that they were selected or elected to represent fellow students and that their official position in student government confirmed they were leaders.

I suppose "office" or "authority" is a form of leadership, but to me leadership is an active noun. Office provides authority and status that can be used to lead, but if those tools aren't employed effectively, the officeholder is not a leader.

True leaders are catalysts to bold action or meaningful change. 

They teach, persuade and inspire. 

They change minds and attitudes. 

They mobilize people. 

The credentials of a real leader are the list of things he or she reforms for the better.

Unfortunately, exemplary student leadership is as rare as exemplary governmental leadership. One reason is, politicians in both contexts are often more concerned with building their resumes than changing the world. Another is, they tend to be so preoccupied with "small" issues that appeal to the immediate self-interest of their constituents that they fail to address harder, but more important, problems.

Focusing on the perennial issues of student government—parking, food services, social events and apathy—virtually guarantees insignificance.

If you want to be a real leader, do something that truly matters. 

Tackle binge drinking, substance abuse, plagiarism and other cheating, irresponsible and disrespectful sex, hazing or, if you prefer, indifferent and incompetent teaching.

Sure, these issues are complex and difficult, but that's why we need leaders.

-character counts