I became one of the captains for my mock trial team this year. It was something that I never thought I would get the opportunity of doing. I was so happy and eager at the beginning of the quarter but then the reality of my leadership position began to set in— and my outlook completely flipped. I want to share some of the lessons I learned this past few months.
- Expect the unexpected.
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Every time you take on a leadership role, it is safe to assume that something will go wrong along the way. Avoid setting unrealistic expectations for yourself and the team you are guiding. Instead, embrace the fact that problem solving is inevitable. It will be stressful but there will be moments when everything feels worth it.
- You are going to make mistakes.
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For me, I did not realize that my negativity was felt by others. There were times that I projected my own insecurities. As a leader, you are going to mess up. At the end of the day, you are a human too. No leader is perfect but a good leader will take accountability.
- Even if you did your best, it might not have been enough.
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This was the most difficult thing for me to understand. I knew that mistakes had been made but I also knew that I did my best given the external circumstances impacting my role and overall wellbeing. You owe it to yourself to acknowledge that you tried your best but still let your team know that their concerns are heard and that your best might not be what your team needed or deserved.
- It is okay to apologize.
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My last interaction with my team ended with me putting myself out there and saying that I was sorry for my shortcomings as a captain. Through the tears, I was able to let them know that I was proud of them. Vulnerability is something that is often not included when talking about leadership and I want to remind you how important it truly is.
This all goes to say that leadership is a growing experience. Throughout this quarter, I was able to grow as a leader and a person. I know what I need to improve on to better support my team and to support myself. I encourage you all to go for that leadership position you have always wanted or to continue to progress in your current role. Being a leader is an honor that you should be proud of.