For a long time, I thought leadership meant being the person in charge. The one making decisions, guiding others, and having a clear sense of direction. But through my experiences with the Illinois Leadership Center and my work with Dr. Deana McDonagh in the (dis)ability Design Studio, that definition has changed in a way I didn’t expect.
What I’ve come to realize is that leadership begins much earlier than we think. It starts with awareness.
At the Illinois Leadership Center, I’ve been involved in both outreach and data analysis, and those two roles have shaped how I understand leadership in very different ways. Outreach taught me how to communicate with people I don’t know, how to present ideas clearly, and how to adapt based on the audience in front of me. It pushed me to be more intentional with how I show up, because even small interactions can leave a lasting impression.
On the other hand, working as a data analyst gave me a completely different perspective. Instead of focusing on what leadership looks like on the surface, I started thinking about how it is experienced. Looking at feedback, engagement patterns, and reflections made me realize that leadership isn’t just about what you do, but how others interpret and respond to it. That shift was important for me because it forced me to think beyond my own intentions and consider impact.
My work in the (dis)ability Design Studio with Dr. Deana McDonagh added another layer to this understanding. The focus there is on human-centered design, which requires you to deeply consider the experiences of others, especially those whose perspectives are often overlooked. That experience changed how I think about leadership. It’s not just about leading people toward a goal, but about making sure that the process includes and respects different needs, perspectives, and voices.
What connects all of these experiences is reflection. Leadership isn’t something that just happens in the moment. It’s something you build by thinking about what worked, what didn’t, and how you can improve the next time. It requires you to be honest with yourself, which isn’t always easy.
I’ve started to see leadership less as a role and more as a mindset. It’s about being aware of your actions, being intentional in how you interact with others, and being open to growth. You don’t need a title to practice leadership. You just need to be willing to pay attention, take responsibility, and keep learning.
And in many ways, that’s what makes leadership both challenging and meaningful. It’s not something you arrive at. It’s something you continue to develop over time.
