<p>What do you think they are?</p>
<ol>
<li>laziness</li>
</ol>
<p>Can’t, kids elect popular kids. Or idk maybe they as quiet.</p>
<ol>
<li>I’m going out on a limb here: Maybe some kids don’t want to be leaders.</li>
</ol>
<p>
The question is why? Maybe I should’ve reworded my question to “Top 5 reasons why people don’t take up any leadership position OR don’t want to be leaders”.</p>
<p>I’ll take a crack at this question.</p>
<ol>
<li>They’re quiet and still have not come out of their shell.</li>
<li>The positions are all taken by the more popular people.</li>
<li>Being a leader takes away time from other things. </li>
<li>They don’t want to make it seem like they’re doing stuff to put on their resume.</li>
</ol>
<p>Too busy trying to ace their academics.</p>
<p>Some kids simply aren’t fit to be leaders.</p>
<p>sciencenerd, if you worry that 4 is a reason, then it means you ARE only doing it to put on your resume. If you actually want the position, it will not look like you are doing it for your resume.</p>
<p>I’ve never really wanted to be a leader, even though I am a pretty social person. I’d rather just do what I like to do, which doesn’t involve leading others.</p>
<p>There are a lot of reasons why someone wouldn’t want to be a leader. Maybe they are shy. Maybe they’re not a very decisive person. Maybe they don’t want the responsibility or the glory of being a leader. Maybe they don’t like the criticism and second-guessing that comes when you’re the leader. Maybe they don’t like the extra work you have to do as a leader. Maybe they are more interested in the more mundane and grassroots work of an organization or group rather than leading from atop.</p>
<p>Ironically, I’m doing way more leadership stuff in med school (when it no longer “counts”) than I did in college or HS. Some of my classmates have given up doing extracurriculars altogether since it’s not a factor in residency apps. There are times when I want to take a leadership role and there are other times when I’m more content to be a member rather than the president or VP.</p>
<p>I think, at least in my high school, leadership positions are a big popularity contest. For NHS, Interact, or even Student Council, you’ll find that only the most popular will win president, vice-president, etc. It’s kind of annoying, but alas that’s high school. Hopefully it will be a little different at college next year?</p>
<p>I don’t usually try for a “leadership position”, per se, unless I see a need for it; oftentimes it’s a lot of extra work and I already juggle a lot of things as it is (some of which do require “leadership” but are not formally “leadership positions”). The one I tried for was VP of premed society because there was a lot of ignorance and misinformation and I felt I could bring some useful knowledge into it for people who are less familiar with the process. Of course, the position went to a very annoying student that has no clue what they are talking about. I’m no longer associated with my school’s premed society, for the record.</p>
<p>Well, sometimes being the leader of a group that people were only in for the line on their resume just isn’t that fun. So put that up on the list: Apathetic members.</p>
<p>I was mostly lucky and managed to get involved in things that I cared about and with people who felt the same way.</p>
<p>Or maybe people feel they make significant contributions to whatever organization without assuming a leadership position? (likes doing v. directing?)</p>
<p>Because you put yourself “on the firing line” of public scrutiny/criticism, have to take a stance, make decisions that will be unpopular to some or to many, & give up personal time & privacy. Also you become a target to those seeking your position. And you have to smile & shake hands through it all. In short, it isn’t worth it to many since the responsibilities & sacrifices don’t justify the meager rewards.</p>
<p>
In the short term, the rewards may look meager. But when it comes time for applying, I think it’s all worth it. By having experience in running for such positions, you have the chance in application and interview (provided that you can also talk about it well) to distinguish yourself from the majority who never had such a position. Also, not all leadership positions take up as much responsibilities and sacrifices as you describe them to.</p>
<p>^If the biggest reward you can name is that it helps out your app, then, no, it’s not worth it.</p>
<p>Then what should be the biggest reward?</p>
<p>Personal satisfaction from a job well done.</p>
<p>If it is not for personal growth and genuine curiosity of how it feels and looking forward for new experinces in your life, it is not worth it. Anyone would be truly misearable if they force themselves into leadership for nothing else but a line on their resume</p>