Effective leadership isn’t defined solely by decision-making or technical expertise but by the ability to connect with others. True leadership thrives on the strength of relationships. Connection is essential for guiding teams, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of trust.
When I arrived on campus for the first time last fall, I realized how hard I needed to work to get myself into the rooms I wanted to be in. Instead of relying on those I already knew to get positions and opportunities, as I did in high school, I was forced to start over. Being in a new environment, I quickly realized how crucial connection was to my success. I began asking myself how I could step out of my comfort zone while using my strengths, landing me in a representative position in Student Government and a Shucker fellowship.
In both SGA and Shucker I’ve found avenues to explore my vision for growth at Furman and have practiced connecting with my peers to solve problems on campus. Even though it was difficult and often intimidating to build connections from a clean slate, especially when surrounded by other intelligent leaders, I’ve found the power of connection to be the most important leadership skill I use throughout my campus involvements and personal relationships.
Considering the majority of our students are paying thousands of dollars to attend the same classes I’m in and participate in the same organizations I’m a part of, it is concerning to me how few students I see contribute questions, raise their hands, or stay after class to get to know the professor. How do we solve this problem?
The first thing I call upon in myself when I’m facing a lack of confidence in any avenue of leadership is my ability to communicate. Communicating looks like confronting academic, social, and emotional conflict head-on by first asking questions and then articulating my thoughts appropriately.
Communication is such an important relationship-building and restorative practice, as well as a great way to get more comfortable with being wrong. Don’t be afraid to share “uncooked” thoughts. Don’t hold yourself back from learning more. Don’t wait for others to speak up first.
Another way to create a connection as a leader is having empathy. The best leaders I know are the first people to articulate their feelings and ask about others’. Although it is a basic concept, it can be easy to forget the value of empathy. People in our Furman community come from different worlds, but somehow, they ended up here. When approaching new situations or interacting with others outside of your circle, remember the common thread connecting all of us, the reasons we ended up here.
Challenge yourself to lead conversations. Be patient with others when something doesn’t come easily to them. Be an advocate for smaller voices and seek out new ones. When you think about the types of people you’re drawn to, I bet it’s those who meet you where you’re at in life, so take that into account when walking around campus, in club meetings, or even in a class discussion.
Still, developing good communication and empathetic listening skills requires intentionality, meaning positive leadership is nurtured by effort. Forcing myself to show up on the hard days is a conscious decision, but it has paid off for what I want to accomplish in life. Not only is showing up for others and the commitments you agree to important, but showing up for yourself and maturing your ambitions also gives you direction to connect.
Intentionally making these connections can create an inspiring campus environment, increasing students’ confidence in themselves and their willingness to reach out to others. Further, actively prioritizing and cultivating authentic connections enhances performance and inspires loyalty, innovation, and growth. Having the ambition to connect with those around you and to participate in what Furman has to offer will make you a better person and a more capable, well-rounded leader. Challenge yourself to connect!
