Not all social butterflies start as this majestic creature, but rather as a little caterpillar, voiceless, timid, and afraid of the world around them. This was me during freshman year of high school; helpless, isolated, fearful of taking flight. I had no idea that there were wings to be had; wings to be spread and flown with. There was an urge inside of me to share my opinions and beliefs with others, but I did not want to bother people, thinking that they would get annoyed or immediately dismiss what I had to say. However, someone once listened. They absorbed my thoughts. I began to realize that authoritative figures and leaders were not as intimidating as they had previously seemed. They were actually interested in my ideas and considered each of them. I began to find my wings, and this was simply because one person decided to reach out and ask for my opinion. This is why I lead, not based on a type or category of leadership, but as an opportunity to make others heard. I lead to give others a voice.
Fast forward a couple years, and I had my first job as an aquatics summer camp counselor. At this point, I knew that those with greater experience than myself had the potential to help me grow, and I took this very seriously. This was my first job and I was going to do it right. I respected my authorities and practically considered their requests as a do-or-die command. About two months into the job, a coworker that I had grown close to ask why I was being so serious. She told me that this is a summer camp and, while it is important to follow the schedule and make sure the kids stay safe, it is also just as important to have fun. I had entirely missed out on this part of the job. I realized that this job, and many others, consisted of a balance between tasks and relationships. I began to enjoy the job significantly more, making connections with the kids, therefore making the teaching aspect that much more effective.
The following summer, I came back, ready to teach the campers to swim, making their experience enjoyable. When they succeeded, I loved it. Just the idea that I got to play a small part in their lives, such as swimming, filled me with joy. My employer began to see this, consistently asking me what I thought about the camps and how I thought they could be taught more effectively. I was then offered a year-round job as an aquatics instructor, which opened doors for me to be the Aquatics Camp Director for the following summer. I attribute my promotion to that one coworker that asked why. Sometimes in order to fly, one must step back and be reflective, consider their own voice and relate it to those around them. I was so focused on hearing everyone else’s opinion, yet I had not yet truly found the value in my own voice until that summer. My wings were there, ready to embrace the world, but I needed to remember that the first few attempts at flying might not be successful, discovering that there was a certain balance that needed to be maintained to succeed.
I strongly believe that everyone has an opinion of some value, a voice that can contribute, but one must simply take a step back and ask for it. There are many individuals that are timid and afraid that their opinions do not matter or will not make a difference. I know these people exist because I was one. It is important to look for those voices and give them an opportunity to fly. Your voice matters just as much as those around you. Others voices have allowed my own to become strong. By seeing other people spread their wings, I have been able to soar.
LDRS 4044 