Since my early childhood, as far back as I can remember, I have always enjoyed and been willing to help people. Although now, I know what the definition of leadership is and the different theories and aspects of leadership, I have always known that I was meant to serve others and be a good example to the people around me. Because I have always enjoyed helping others, volunteering to help others and using that as my motivator for many things, I consider my leadership theory as servant leadership. My attitude towards leadership, specifically servant leadership, is made of positivity and optimism, because I know that when I help someone, they are going to feel good, and I am making a difference in the world. In my opinion, this is how everybody should view leadership, not as a position or a title, but the ability to make a difference in people's lives around you.

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          To expand on my theory of servant leadership, I define servant leadership as having a genuine desire to help and serve others, even if it means not gaining anything in return. Even if I don’t gain something tangible in return of being of service to others, I am gaining the ability to see a smile on someone’s face, seeing someone’s life improve, and feeling good about myself. Aside from wanting to serve others, the guiding principle that I hold dear when I am thinking about leading others is how I would feel if someone were doing this for me. When someone does something kind and helpful for me, and wants to see me succeed and brighten my day, it is truly the best feeling. To know that someone genuinely cares about you and wants to help you is a great feeling. Knowing how I would feel if someone were helping me with something inspires me to give others that feeling. I love to let people know that I care about them and want to see them flourishing.

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          The actions I take to showcase my leadership journey are by practicing positions where I can showcase being a leader, but doing it in a way that I am not putting myself above others. A common misconception of leadership is that it’s a position or title that you are put in. And, that this title gives you the right to be above others, have people under you that you can bark orders at and treat unfairly. Unfortunately, there are many “leaders” who are like this, and it gives a bad image to other people practicing leadership that have a desire to help others. One concept I feel very strongly about is that leadership is not a position. You can be at a company at the lowest level and still practice leadership, and it also doesn’t have to have anything to do with employment at all. Leadership is being a good example to others, being kind, and helping others whenever you can. In positions where I practice leadership, I always try to keep myself at the same level as everyone around me. For example, I am the Fundraising and Events Chair for the Service Dog Training and Education Program at UCF. Even though I am in a position of leadership, and I speak at meetings and make decisions for the club that not every member has a voice in, as soon as I am done speaking, I go and sit and talk to all of the general members of the club like they are my friends, not my employees. I don’t see myself as a higher position than them, and when they ask me questions about the club, I don’t answer the questions like I’m bragging or trying to show that I’m an executive board member, I want people to feel comfortable and want to come to me for help, and I will help them like I’m helping a friend.

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          In conclusion, as a servant leader, I see myself as someone who can have a positive impact on others' lives everywhere I go. I like to be the person that peers can come to when they need help, or just need someone to talk to, and I want that person to leave the conversation feeling good about themselves, heard, and have their day improved. To sum up my leadership philosophy, in a very basic way, it is simply just to serve others. Helping others warms my heart and I love that it warms other people's hearts as well. I like to make a difference everywhere I go, and I know that I can never go wrong when I am willing to help other people.