Last week, I lost an election yet again. This was for a club that I was really passionate about. Before that, I ran for an appointed position, but the interviewer (who I believe I’m very close with) chose a senior over me (I’m a junior), which was a harsh wake-up call.
So let me estimate… I’ve won about 4 out of 11 elections/positions I’ve applied for so far.
Consequently, I only have a couple leadership positions (one of them being VP), but those were either appointed or I was the only person running. However, this won’t stop me from trying; I’ve learned to be resilient through all these losses, but I’m wondering if I seem too opportunistic. This whole thing makes me feel sad about myself – it seems like I can’t win anything out of my own merit.
Anyone feel this way? Any ways to combat this pseudo-depression?
You have already run in 11 elections. Yes, this by itself makes me wonder why you keep doing this. Who are you actually trying to help? Why do you want to run for so many elected positions?
It is hard to believe that you actually have time to improve the functioning of 11 different high school organizations.
Leadership often goes to those who have participated in a club fo ra while who also are interested in leadership.
If you have ran 11 times, did you run as a freshman and get beat by seniors/juniors?
Are you running to win, or running to govern/do something?
You can show leadership without being elected…eg. taking on a project and succeeding.
So if you want to be a leader of the We Love Llamas club, you can also suggest and run a llama fundraiser to show leadership. The more you show leadership, the more people want you to lead.
One of my kids got into top colleges with no “named” leadership positions. Yet when she had to write one essay about leadership, she had no problem writing about her quiet leadership by example style. She was a top performer (literally top in the school, and top 3 in the state) on an academic activity team. She recruited a lot of people into a couple activities, turning them into really robust clubs. She wrote the essays that helped get her Robotics team a top competition award, along with other technical activities on the team. She didn’t have leadership titles, but she was a respected leader in her activities nonetheless.
Stop running for stuff. Start leading by example, and the rest will likely follow – it matters a lot more what your team and people around you think about your contributions than the title next to your name.
If you talk to college admission reps they will tell you school leadership is just one way to show leadership. When my daughter talked to one they said that her helping with beginner figure skaters showed leadership, helping out at girl scout events for her sister showed leadership etc. Basically leadership does not equate needing a title nor does it need to be at school.
When I was a senior in HS, I was a 4 yr Varsity soccer goalie. The coach picked captains, and it wasn’t me. I was midly disappointed. In College, they started a Women’s varsity soccer team (this was way back). I helped recruit players, I showed players kicking techniques. Not because I was trying to get anything out of it for myself, but because I wanted our team to succeed. I was named Captain. Then I was ready…I was showing leadership.