College is an exciting time with many new changes for students. New friendships are formed, there is a different standard of expectations, and no one can forget about the endless student events and parties.
People generally join groups or hang with certain individuals in college too. There are many fraternities, sororities and other campus organizations that students will be attracted to. Most of these groups are set up with their own ideals and bylaws which naturally separate them from other groups. They have long-standing traditions and rituals that are difficult to change.
So, how do you put yourself in a leadership position in college without separatism or racism?
The answer is in creating a culture that eliminates these things from the beginning if possible. If not, here are four things you can do to be a leader without these challenges hindering, the team members you lead or the culture you hope to set.
1. Make your values and vision known upfront to others.
Being a person of integrity is a key trait of being a leader, especially if you want to create an all-inclusive culture. You must publicly declare your values and be willing to stand on them. You will start to attract people who have those same values. As your group or associations become larger, you will be able to affect more people in a positive and influential way.
2. Be aware of your associations.
Once you start declaring your values and vision, you must live consistently by them. If you say you are not a racist or someone who excludes others but your actions and associations prove otherwise, people will not trust you. The old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together” is true. It’s human nature. You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep.
3. Create and promote events that foster unity.
Student Leaders on college and university campuses are constantly creating and promoting events to generate awareness for their causes. If your cause is unity, why not have a weekly/monthly event that promotes your ideals? Will everyone attend your meeting or subscribe to your philosophy? No, they won’t but the ones that do may be more than happy to help you create a positive and civil movement for increased unity.
4. Become a lifelong learner and a teacher.
You should be constantly learning more and more about people in history who shared your same values of equality and inclusion. Study people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Teresa and others who share your values. After you have learned of these individuals, begin to teach what you have learned. Real leaders inspire and create more leaders — and your platform or organization should not be any different.
Being a leader in any capacity will require learning about human nature. Once you have a better understanding of this key fact, building your vision of a positive culture with inclusion and equality will become much easier. If you follow these steps and continue to study and associate with other positive inclusive leaders, it will be inevitable for you to gain the support you need and implement the changes you want to see on campus and in the community.
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About the Author: Ty Howard,
Mr. Untie the Knots®,
Inspiring and Freeing Optimal Success Daily!
Ty Howard is America’s Untie the Knots® Consultant, and Optimal Success and Passion Expert. He has spoken to nearly two million college faculty, staff, students, student leaders, student athletes, and higher education association members across the nation and around the world. For information on his programs and services, visit: http://dynamiccollegespeaker.com.
