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from the 2010 Edition 2010 EditionView the Current Issue in its Entirety Social Media and Your College Experience The Right Fit - Apply to Schools That Are Right for You More Choice, Less Stress - You Decide Which ACT/SAT Scores Colleges See Eco-centric - Students Nationwide Explore Human Impact on the Environment Showing a College How Much You Want it Could Help You Get In Beyond the Box - The New Faces of Dorm Living A Healthy Choice - Health Care Professionals Stay Busy in an Unhealthy Economy Explore the World (and Earn College Credit) You Majored in WHAT? - Unusual Degrees That Could Be Right Up Your Alley Admissions Terms You Need To Know Discover the World of Engineering Fact or Fiction - Our Handy Guide Busts Some All-too-common Myths About College Fine Arts Design and Media Careers Lead On - Develop Leadership Skills for Life Student Wins $68,814 Writing Award Girls Rule - Women's College Remain A Viable Option Precollege Summer Programs - Get a Jump on Your Career or College Life View the Current Issue in its Entirety Articles from issue:top |
Lead On - Develop Leadership Skills for LifeFrom the MCG 2010 editionToday, buying shoes online is as commonplace as, well, buying shoes at a mall. But back in 1999, when 25-year-old Tony Hsieh and his partners conceived of the idea, it seemed almost foolish. After all, there wasn't any proof to suggest that it would work: Would people really buy shoes without seeing them in person and without trying them on? But Hsieh (pronounced Shay) had confidence in his idea, and he persisted, finding and convincing a backer to support him in his endeavor. Ten years later, his company-Zappos-is one of the most popular online shopping sites and an innovative leader in customer service with $1 billion worth of sales in 2008. When most people hear the word "leader," they associate it with a position or title: boss, CEO, team captain. But leadership doesn't have to be "official," and you don't have to be an outgoing extrovert to lead. Hsieh didn't set out to be a leader (he's actually rather shy). He simply believed in himself and his idea, and the rest followed. The fact is, you can develop leadership skills in every realm of your life and in any type of situation, from the mundane to the heroic, without being a formal or elected "leader." These skills are important because they will help you achieve both personal and academic success in college and beyond. So, how do you become a leader, big or small?
Even if you don't have plans to run a company or govern the country, developing leadership skills now will benefit you more than you know. |
