Getting Started as a Leader

Congratulations!! You've just been elected as a student leader; you're feeling great! And, at times, a bit scared, right? You've finally received the position that you've wanted for so long and perhaps you're experiencing a little bit of doubt. You want to give it your all, be the BEST officer your organization ever elected. You want everything perfect the first time - with no mistakes from anybody. Nice intentions, but as we all know, highly unrealistic. People are fallible; mistakes will inevitably be made. Here is some information that will start your thinking so you can avoid some of the common pitfalls and get a smooth start in your new position. So, relax, get comfortable and read on!

IF: you want to learn more about effective leadership: such as leadership classes, leadership conferences, institutes, handouts and other resource materials
THEN: Check out OSACS (Office of Student Activities and Community Services - Washington Diner entrance of Seacobeck). While there, make sure to pick up a copy of the Policy Handbook, published by OSACS, which contains a lot of procedural information regarding campus organizations.

IF: Your organization has an office among the Student Organizational Offices under Seacobeck
THEN: Do you and your members have keys?

IF: You need money from the Finance Committee
THEN: Prepare a budget to submit to and be reviewed by the Finance Committee and make sure one of your members (preferably the president or the treasurer) attends Finance Committee training in the fall.

IF: Your organization has a treasurer
THEN: Has he or she updated your finance books?

IF: Your organization has an historian
THEN: Have the exiting officers submitted an end-of-the-year report to him or her?

IF: Your organization has a secretary
THEN: Does he or she have everything he or she needs from the previous secretary (meeting minutes, etc.)?

IF: You would like to have a smoothly running organization right from the start
THEN: Do the officers have written descriptions of their responsibilities from the exiting officers? Are the descriptions clear and understandable?

IF: You need to learn how to reserve a room in a campus building, use campus vans, or another of the dozens of University services.
THEN: Pick up a copy of the Policy Handbook from OSACS

Deciding On A Style Of Leadership

The style of leadership that you choose will have a tremendous impact on your organization. You want to develop a style that you feel comfortable with and that will motivate the members of your organization to achieve the group's goals. What might prove helpful is to examine the styles of the previous officers. Write down what you like and dislike about the method in which goals were or were not achieved, and why. By doing so, you can discover what you believe is important to the organization.

For instance:

Are you people-oriented (focusing mainly on how your members are doing)?
Are you task-oriented (focusing on what your members are doing)?
Do you place fellowship (camaraderie) high in your priorities, or is it more important to get the job done?
Should all the members decide or should just the officers decide the organization's goals?
Will you achieve goals by setting up alone or by different committees (e.g., social committee, blood drive committee)?
What would you suggest the group goals to be?

Ultimately, which style (i.e., "tell and have done," participative, etc.) - in your judgment - would help the organization accomplish its goals most effectively in each situation?

Hopefully this handout has helped you to feel more prepared for your upcoming responsibilities. You can face your position as a student leader with anticipation and confidence! Remember that others elected you because they believed you possessed the ability to do well. Knowing that should make believing in yourself easier. Emerson once said, "Self-trust is the first secret of success." And he was right. So, relax, be yourself, believe in yourself, and enjoy the challenge!

USED WITH PERMISSION: University of Michigan Office of Student Activities and Leadership Handouts

Leadership Resources

Program Planning

Brainstorming

Active Listening

Delegating Responsibility