What does being a leader mean to you? How do we ensure that the next generation of Asian-Americans and APIASF/GMS scholars has the guidance and frameworks to reach their fullest potential as leaders? These are incredibly difficult questions to answer and the genesis behind the APIASF blog. You’re probably wondering why this is relevant to you. Several years after graduating, you may find yourself leading whole organizations or large teams, and your undergraduate studies don’t exactly teach you how to be a good leader. Like any “skill”, leadership skills improve with practice. I would encourage all of you to continue taking on leadership roles in organizations that matter to you. At the same time, it is worth remembering that you don’t need to be in a formal position to be a leader. You could be a leader amongst your classmates by setting a good example and creating a positive environment for learning. You could work with others on a team consulting local communities on particular problems. You could also set a good example for your siblings and proactively assist in their development.
A wise professor at Harvard once told me that leadership is about making those around you better as a result of your presence and ensuring that positive change remains long after you leave. Like many of you, I actively took on defined leadership roles in high school, college and beyond, and I believe that I learned a lot from these experiences. I learned to manage conflicting agendas, synthesize information to make decisions, and persuade different constituents to commit to common goals. But what I failed to realize was that being a leader wasn’t about improving myself or my abilities. Being an effective leader meant that I had to consider others first.
In addition to leadership, one of the hottest topics of modern day American society is the discussion on ethics. According to a number of research studies, it is generally concluded that teenagers (and by extension, many young adults) typically see issues as black or white. Something is usually clearly wrong or clearly right. Older adults see the world in shades of grey. One of the important aspects of being a leader involves making decisions in light of conflicting interests. Making the “wrong” decision does not necessarily mean that someone is acting unethically. Just as significant is that fact that it is easy to act unethically and not break the law. Laws merely provide the baseline guidance for individual and organizations to operate. So how do you know when you’re acting ethically? Many people seem to support the “headline news” test. As a leader, how would you or your friends and family react to reading about your actions on the front page of the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal? It is an important test to remember as you embark on your journey to becoming a leader in the APIA community and the world.
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