Unveiling the Leader Within
Captivating Examples for College Application Essays
I love how Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker on business leadership, gets us to look at leadership more deeply. This is really important since the term, leadership, can be defined in thousands of different ways. It’s one of those buzz words that people use but don’t actually know what it truly means to them.
Of the many ways Sinek describes leadership, this is the one that resonates with me most and is something I can more often than not, convince the students I work with that they are leaders by example. Sinek says, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
When I work with young people on their college application essays, they are so humble. While humility is a beautiful quality, it doesn’t get you far when college admissions officers are trying to get to know the person behind the grades and extracurricular activities. Crafting these essays presents an opportunity to showcase your strengths and unique qualities. If you don't share your achievements and experiences, the reader may not fully understand your potential. Basically, if you don’t tell them, they won’t know.
Let’s look at one example of leadership that a high school student can talk about in their college application essay (and resume and interview, for that matter)::
A high school soccer goalie epitomizes leadership through various qualities and actions.
Communication: the goalie serves as the eyes and ears of the team, constantly communicating with teammates to organize defense, mark opponents, and coordinate set pieces.
Decision-Making: As the last line of defense, the goalie must make split-second decisions under pressure. Whether it’s deciding to come off the line to intercept a through ball or choosing the best angle to block a shot, the goalie’s ability to make quick and decisive decisions can greatly influence the outcome of the game.
Confidence: Goalkeeping requires immense self-belief and confidence. A confident goalie inspires trust and reassurance in their teammates, helping boost morale and maintain a positive team atmosphere even in challenging situations.
Responsibility: The goalie shoulders a significant amount of responsibility for the team’s performance. They must take ownership of their role and lead by example through hard work, dedication and resilience. A reliable goalie who consistently performs at a high level can instill confidence in the entire team.
Resilience: Goalkeeping can be a mentally and emotionally demanding position, requiring resilience in the face of adversity. Whether it’s conceding a goal or making a mistake, a resilient goalie maintains composure, learns from setbacks, and bounces back stronger.
Supportive Leadership: A goalie’s leadership extends beyond their individual performance to supporting and encouraging their teammates. They offer guidance, motivation, and constructive feedback, helping their teammates grow and improve both on and off the field.
