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The #IlliniLeader's Digest
A digital space for ILC stakeholders to learn and voice their perspectives about leadership...
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  • The Blackbird Will Soar: Leadership Rooted in Strength and Knowledge

    Mar 28, 2025 12:15 pm16 views

    Leadership is not a singular path, but a dynamic force shaped by history, resilience, and lived experiences, especially within the Black community. Inspired by her mother’s wisdom, Jamaira Williams explores leadership beyond titles, rooted in knowledge, perseverance, and purpose. Black leaders have defied limitations, proving that true leadership uplifts, educates, and empowers. As we honor Black history, we must ask: How will we lead, inspire, and break barriers for future generations?

  • Listening as a Leader

    Feb 12, 2025 1:15 pm52 views

    In this blog post, Emily Chang, a Graf Intern at the Illinois Leadership Center, discusses how listening is an often-overlooked leadership quality and how it can be beneficial in making others feel more comfortable participating.

  • The Role of Empathy and Compassion in Burnout and Productivity.

    Jan 21, 2025 12:15 pm73 views

    In this blog post by Thais Silveira, we learn about how important empathy and compassion, especially being kind to yourself, are for dealing with burnout at work and boosting productivity. It explains that these qualities, backed by new research in brain science and psychology, can improve mental health, lower self-criticism, and build emotional strength. By encouraging self-care and setting realistic goals, empathy and compassion help prevent burnout and create a healthier, more productive workplace.

  • Leading Through Crisis

    Dec 11, 2024 1:15 pm19 views

    In this blog post Kristian Robbins talks about how leading through a crisis can be challenging and difficult for many people to navigate. As a leader who has navigated both internal and external struggles, Kristian gives us her best techniques for practicing authentic leadership and managing challenges without compromising leadership abilities.

  • Lighthouse

    The Optimistic Leader: How to stay resilient in the face of adversity

    Mar 7, 2023 10:30 am1377 views

    In this blog, we explore the powerful connection between optimism and resilience in leadership. Discover how a positive outlook can help you overcome obstacles and inspire those around you, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment in both your personal and professional life.

  • Crowd marches at the George Floyd protests 6/2/2020

    Leadership in Social Justice

    Jan 27, 2023 11:00 am389 views

    The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines social justice as “justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.” The concept of social justice encompasses all oppressed and marginalized groups and it is formed on five pillars: access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights.

  • stressed business woman

    Stress and Free Time: Learning How to Appreciate Leadership

    Oct 24, 2022 2:15 pm77 views

    When was the last time that you got to "stop and smell the roses"? In this post, I will be sharing my personal experiences with the stress that leadership brings and how I manage it. By reading this post, you will gain insight into how you can better appreciate your leadership roles and what you accomplish in them.

  • president

    Leadership Lessons from President Zelensky

    Mar 29, 2022 11:15 am10812 views

    Leadership lessons from President Zelensky we can apply in our daily lives.

  • women

    Why can't women be ambitious and likable?

    Mar 1, 2022 12:00 pm539 views

    This post explores the concept of "The Likeability Trap" as well as the pressures that women encounter in the workplace to curate their appearance and fashion.

  • Leading by Creativity

    Dec 7, 2021 1:15 pm2212 views

    This post goes into detail on one of the most important soft skills for a leader to have: creativity! Creativity helps leaders with problem-solving, communication, and team building. 

  • Reflections on the past semester: the progress we have made

    Dec 6, 2021 2:15 pm257 views

    This post reflects on the past semester and all the progress we have made from the start till now. It also emphasizes the importance of your accomplishments and future goals you may set for yourself.

  • Ways to Relieve Stress

    Dec 6, 2021 12:45 pm869 views

    This post shares some ways to help relieve some stress. With the start of a new semester, it's always important to find ways to calm our stressors and still remain calm during all the chaos that is to come. 

  • stress

    How to stay (sorta) stress-free in college

    Nov 15, 2021 12:45 pm227 views

    This post shares some ways to help relieve stress in your life. With the end of the semester quickly approaching, this is a great post that gives some tips on ways to help handle the stress in your life!

  • The Importance of Developing a Community Perspective

    Oct 21, 2021 11:30 am4115 views

    This post talks about the importance of community and volunteering within your own community. The post shares a bit more about how to develop leadership skills through helping out your community. 

  • How My Involvement With The Illinois Leadership Center Transformed My Life

    Oct 18, 2021 1:15 pm129 views

    This post talks a bit about the importance the ILC has had on one of our own employee's college experiences. She shares how she got involved with the ILC and where that has gotten her today as she is finishing her time here at the University of Illinois. 

  • smiley faces

    How to Prioritize our Emotional Wellness 

    Oct 11, 2021 2:15 pm2620 views

    This post talks about the importance of emotional wellness and how to prioritize that in our lives. The post also talks a bit more about recognizing our own emotions, stress management, and emotional intelligence. 

  • leadership

    The Importance of Leadership in a Global Pandemic

    Jul 7, 2021 1:45 pm8993 views

    This post highlights the importance of leaders navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and how leadership takes flexibility. The author uses their experience on the Illini Union Board to exemplify the challenges faced.

  • Recognizing my Strengths as a Leader

    Jul 7, 2021 1:15 pm55 views

    This post talks about the experience of a Ph.D. student and how the ILC has influenced her journey. Through all the resources offered, she has been able to recognize her strengths as a leader. 

  • leadership

    The Influence of the ILC's Workshops on my Leadership Journey

    Jul 7, 2021 12:45 pm5326 views

    This post talks about the experience of a fellow student throughout her time on campus and how the workshops helped with her leadership development today. 

  • inspo

    Tips to Develop Yourself Over Summer

    Apr 21, 2021 2:15 pm629 views

    This post gives 5 tips on ways to develop yourself over the summer. Summer gives us the opportunity to develop ourselves as we get a break after the long, hectic school year. There are many ways to help develop yourself this summer, but these are just 5 examples. 

  • servant leadership

    National Make a Difference Day

    Oct 20, 2020 10:30 am416 views

    National Make a Difference Day focuses on aspects of service in our community. This post goes into more detail about the day and introduces the topic of servant leadership. 

  • The Importance of Diversity in Leadership

    Oct 20, 2020 9:15 am79 views

    This post discusses the importance of diversity in concepts of leadership and areas of life. 

  • Self-improvement

    The Importance of Self-Improvement for Leaders

    Sep 17, 2020 12:00 pm51294 views

    September is self-improvement month. This post goes into detail on what self-improvement is, how it is important for leaders and shares a personal connection to self-improvement. 

  • sunset encouraging picture

    The National Day of Encouragement- What is it?

    Sep 12, 2020 9:30 am1053 views

    This post goes into depth on the National Day of Encouragement, a day that recognizes the importance of encouragement in our everyday lives. It'll go into more detail on the history, facts, and ways to increase the use of encouragement in your lives. 

  • Organizing for Social Change: An Interview with a First-Timer

    Jun 12, 2020 11:45 am158 views

    I first met Paul Saban at the 2019 session of the Institute by LeaderShape. When Paul informed me that he was organizing a demonstration for Black Lives Matter in his hometown in Monticello, I decided that I would interview him about his experience following the demonstration. This was his first time organizing an event of this kind. The demonstration was held in the main square of Monticello, Illinois on Saturday, June 6.

  • Why Leadership is Important to Me (And for You!)

    Apr 15, 2020 11:00 pm160 views

    In this post I talk about a personal experience from high school that was a foundational piece of my experience in becoming a leader. I use this as an example of why leadership is important to me by describing how I came to view myself as a leader and the impact I have had on others as a result.

  • What Actually Makes a Good Leader, May Not Be What You Think...

    Apr 15, 2020 12:00 am600 views

    We are always asked the question, "what makes a good leader?" Through all the different studies and approaches learned, I discovered what I believe makes a good leader and it may not be what you think.

  • What is the Hardest Part About Being Good Leader?

    Apr 15, 2020 12:00 am4788 views

    In this article, I discuss what I find to be the hardest part of being a leader. The pressure to please all parties is a challenge that can be burdensome and serve to degrade a leader's confidence in their ability. I discuss this topic from my perspective and experiences.