We often imagine a leader as the person at the front of the room with the loudest voice and the most polished PowerPoint. We associate leadership with taking up space. But my journey from a shy freshman to Corporate Affairs Chair for ALPFA has taught me that the most impactful leadership actually happens in the quiet moments of input.
Leadership is a family value. I learned early on that leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about the weight of responsibility. Becoming an aunt at five years old was my first real lesson in this. I watched my nephews and nieces mirror my every move. When they tell me they want to be the world’s greatest soccer player or start a trillion-dollar business, I don’t start with a lecture on reality. I start by listening. I’ve realized that you can't build a path for someone else, whether it's a toddler or a first-gen student, until you understand the world from where they are standing.
Listening is the art of the ear. In my role as Corporate Affairs Chair, I’ve found that the most important part of my job isn’t managing sponsorships, it’s reading between the lines. When I grab coffee with a mentee looking to transfer into Gies, my job isn't to brag about my GPA. It’s to hear the quiet question they aren't asking: Do I actually belong here? By listening, we validate their experience and build trust before a single piece of advice is given. Taking the time to hear what our ALPFA members actually want, like deeper community or more accessible resources, is what inspired me to run for the Executive Board next semester. I don’t want to just hear about the gaps our members face, I hope to be the one who turns those heard needs into tangible growth.
Give the quiet ones a seat. I used to be the student in the back of the classroom, too afraid to speak up. The leaders who changed my life weren’t the ones who gave the loudest speeches; they were the mentors who listened me into confidence. I will always remember the teachers who saw my potential and pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and the peers who opened doors to create a seat for me at the table. They taught me that the quietest person in the room often holds the most profound insights. When we prioritize listening, we create a space safe enough for those voices to emerge finally.
People don’t commit to a cause because of a mission statement. They commit because they feel seen, valued, and respected. The Bottom Line, to me, effective leadership is where high integrity meets genuine empathy. It’s about meeting people where they are, not where we expect them to be. The volume of your voice doesn't measure real impact, but by how much your team and your family feel understood. That is my focus as I look toward an executive role: listening first, so I can lead better.
