Asher Hamilton discusses leadership, student government
by Caitlin Grosso
As a student, you are a leader without even realizing it. You have a voice, original ideas, and aspirations. You also have a unique perspective on the world that gravitates you toward certain interests. You have passions, opinions, and, most important, a sense of character. A conglomeration of these basic ingredients is all that a leader needs to impact a community.
Now, I know what you may be thinking (I’m talking to you, introverts): Me? A leader? And the answer is yes. If you care about something, you’re a leader. If you want to strive for improvement in your life, then you’re a leader. What’s more, you’re a leader simply because you lead your own life on a day-to-day basis. Now imagine the influence you could have on someone else’s life, too.
There are ways to elevate your voice in the college community (even if public speaking freaks you out). Joining the Student Government Association allows you to create real, tangible changes on campus by maintaining or improving its facilities, planning events for fellow students and faculty, and more. But amplification without confidence is feeble; confidence provides structure to your voice, wants, and needs. It goes hand in hand with leadership, as well as SGA roles. Asher Hamilton, a coordinator of the 4C’s SGA, discusses why.
Q: How can the voices of student leaders transform a community?
A: Leadership is learned and supported by those with leadership roles, primarily within leadership development. Currently, across the country, there is a vacuum that needs to be strategically filled by mentorship.
Q: How important is self-confidence in leadership roles? How do confidence and leadership correlate?
A: Confidence is the ability to think about things strategically and emotionally. Sometimes our emotions can get the best of us, and we find ourselves reacting instead of planning. Confidence and leadership relate because the more confident a person is in their reactions, the more likely they are convinced to step into leadership roles.
Q: What are some tips you can give to students interested in leadership roles?
A: Be organic and naturally who you are. Learn from your mistakes but don't be afraid to inject your values into meetings or conversations. Organic means being unapologetically who you are and stating your values without compromise.
Q: How can students “amplify” their voices at the college?
A: There is a vacuum in the Student Government Association; they seek investment from the student body. They are looking for senators, parliamentarians, secretaries, and many other roles that are the epitome of learning about leadership and demonstrating that through encouraging the voices of all students at the table. This is the time for students to step up and take their earned place at this table where decisions are made that impact them. It's possible to be a perfect leader, but you can be a leader who is looking to invest in the role of leadership development. We are leaders because we all have the ability to demonstrate ethics and character.
Asher Hamilton (Asher Hamilton)
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