Leadership and influence
Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.
(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)
My organization skills, critical thinking, and calm but strong personality led me be the leader I´m am now. Within all the projects in which I participate I've been able to meet many types of leaders, and I've learned that the best leader is the one who inspires, respects, and listens.
During my studies I was selected to represent my university at a World Summit in Africa where I had to implement a sustainability project. To run the project, I needed a small space and enough students to cover 8 hours a day for customer service. I decided that with the minimum available resources the project had to start, and, as it grew, get the support of student centers and other university entities. I gave the project a name, designed the logo, created the Facebook page, and went course by course to promote the idea. People began to join in and the working team grew. I was the leader but never put myself on a higher position. Instead of giving orders, I coordinated the work. I didn´t impose my ideas but I consult every decision. I was flexible with minor things, but clear and concrete with the main objectives. I identified the strengths and weaknesses of each member, and delegate work according to their preference. I have always fostered ties of friendship and commitment to the project. With time, "Casillero-de-La-Cato" was achieving greater participation from the University Community, so the authorities felt obliged to designate adequate space and human resources. Now, 6 years later, "Casillero-de-La-Cato" is still underway at the university and is one of the few projects that is included each semester in the university budget.
The last three years I worked as a primary school teacher. This is the greatest experiences that led me to identify myself as a natural leader, and at the same time maximize my leadership and influence skills. As a teacher I´m strict and serious, but my simplicity and sympathy generate a working environment where there is mutual trust, respect and security. My students feel free to participate, express their feelings and doubts. Due to my observation skills, I am able to identify the strengths and difficulties of each child, and therefore, demand according to their individual abilities and capacity. I am able to optimize their performance. I´ve learned how to motivated and encourage my students, especially after a failure. I know when to be tough and demanding, but I also know when to be patient and understanding. I have a positive influence on them, and I know that they naturally admire and trust me. As a result, most of my students have a good performance in high-demanding high schools. I also had many autistic students, to whom I also managed to teach the subject despite their condition. This work experience taught me that a true leader is a guide, someone that inspires.
I feel absolute confident and satisfied with the leader I am, although my training is never complete. I consider I have the attitude, wisdom and strength to be a potential leader
