I want to pass along three leadership lessons I have discovered these last couple months. I shared these in last week’s student senate meeting (Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Wildcat Chamber), and I was asked to share them with the student body.
First, it’s not good to double down on a mistake. I have made mistakes during my time at Kansas State. Each time I seem to run toward my mistakes and be honest about them, it usually turns out a lot better than I thought it was going to. Dealing in honesty and authenticity is important even when dealing with people of uncertain intentions. In order to maintain trust as a governing organization, the best way is usually to embrace the truth, even at a potential personal or organizational cost.
Second, we need to keep students in the front of our minds when making decisions. Many times we bring different backgrounds and policy positions to conversations. Yet, if we keep students and student organizations at the heart of our discussions and listen to what they say is not working for them, that is how to arrive at the best student-centered solution — by using the organization’s rules to enact the change that needs to happen to best help students.
Lastly, our rules and the way we conduct business might not be best for students. If the rules do not allow the flexibility necessary to help students address their concerns, then maybe we are holding too tight to our tradition and procedure. If this is the case, maybe we need to rethink or change the way we do business so we can better serve students.
Stephen Kucera is a graduate student in accounting and the student support director for the Student Governing Association. The views and opinions expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.
