In my college life and early years as a professional, I didn't stand out for being a leader

Chevening leadership and influence question

When I am asked about my leadership and influencing skills, I must be honest and admit that in my college life and early years as a professional, I didn't stand out for being a leader. I am not what it's called a natural or born leader.

Nevertheless, through my eight years of professional practice and development as a Dietitian, I have had the opportunity to learn that the foundation for leadership are found in a series of attitudes, beliefs and practices that growth within oneself through time. I have been fortunate to find mentors and people in my work team that have brought the best of me and have helped me to discover qualities which I didn't know I had, like creativity, faster decision-making and the capacity to propose alternatives to effective conflict resolution.

So then, the story I can tell in this moment about my leadership skills is quite different; today, I can proudly say that I am a leader in my work place and among my team. I believe that all these years of professional experience have taught me to mature and to acknowledge the importance for sharing my ideas and abilities and not keeping them inside of me, I consider this as an essential part in order to be an integral professional and human being.

Among the situations I have had the opportunity to test my leadership and influence skills, I can recall that five years ago, during my first job, I was assigned to the direction of the Obesity Program; this was a task which needed a meticulous handling, given the fact that its results could affect the clinical outcomes for the patients and have an impact in the cost-effective results of my organization. In this task, I learned how to effectively organize the team work and assign them duties towards the goals of the organization, coordinate activities, moreover, convey enthusiasm and motivation to achieve the objectives proposed. Furthermore, I learned an essential quality of a leader, to get to know your team, their abilities and encourage them to reach all their potential.

In my second job, I have no management activities under my charge, however in the activities I develop in my day to day, I contribute to new and better ways of doing things, through the use of technological resources available. Notwithstanding, I feel that I am begining to be leader in my community and with the people I work for, given all the educational resources I bring them in order to promote healthier life styles.

To summarize, developing my leadership skills has given me a formidable experience on how to lead a team. I believe that Chevening Award will help me to develop myself into a great leader and learn how to use those skills to influence not only in my workplace but also society and community. 

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So then, the story I can tell in this moment about my leadership skills is quite different;
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Janet, try not to dismiss your abilities as a leader in your essay. Most of the content of this paper are references to how you do not feel that you are a leader and that you lack the skills to do so. Now why do you want to play up your weak points to the reviewer rather than your strong points? That does not make sense. In order to make this essay effective, you need to find a new direction for it in relation to your leadership skills, no matter how negligible those leadership skills might have been at the time.

Erase all references you have to your lack of leadership experience. That is not the required information in this essay so its inclusion will only weaken your statement. Instead, focus your energies and imaginative skills on the following paragraph:

Among the situations I have had the opportunity to test my leadership and influence skills, I can recall that five years ago, during my first job, I was assigned to the direction of the Obesity Program;

If this is truly the only leadership moment that you had in your life, then build your essay around that event. Explain the objective of this task, the requirements to complete the task, what your leadership duties were and how you were expected to implement your part in the project. Discuss how getting to know the team, promoting their abilities, and encouraging them to reach their potential for the benefit of the project were all things that led you to develop your leadership skills. Then explain who your encouragement helped you to further develop your influential skills as well.

Remember, there are no weak leaders, only leaders who have yet to achieve their potential, you are one of those people. Let's depict that strength for the benefit of the reviewer :-)