blog posts

• How to Establish a Psychologically Safe Team

  Feb 21, 2024 12:15 pm2 views

  ILC's communication and marketing specialist Eugene Hwang talks about psychological safety and what it takes to have a team where everyone feels comfortable!

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  One Question to Answer Before Deciding Your Career Path

  Jan 26, 2021 2:45 pm3 views

  Remember the saying that we all wanted to believe as kids? You can be anything you want to be when you grow up. One of the best ways to end up in the kind of career that earns you respect, recognition, success, and happiness is to do more of what you're good at.

  Click the title to read this article by Jessica Buono from Gallup with CliftonStrengths, one of the programs presented at the ILC!

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  Donaldson Gift to the Illinois Leadership Center Makes History

  Jun 8, 2020 9:15 am4 views

  The Illinois Leadership® Center (ILC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has received the largest outright gift in the history of Student Affairs at Illinois with a $1.17 million gift from Jane and William (“Bill”) Donaldson.

• Special Situations in Private Markets

  Jan 26, 2024 1:30 pm12 views

  Jeremy Giffon's wisdom on passion, advice, and resilience inspires a path to success. Embrace challenges and learn to be "hard to kill".

• The History of Black Housing Discrimination at UIUC

  Feb 28, 2024 12:45 pm12 views

  In this blog post I talk about the Wicked Problem of Black housing discrimination and segregation at UIUC and how it has been a problem since the opening of this University. with all the strides that black people have made on this campus it goes almost unnoticeable today, but we are still seeing the affects of this historical problem in real time.

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  COVID-19 Updates

  Apr 16, 2020 1:15 pm12 views

  As the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) creates uncertainty and concerns both globally and here in our community, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign continues to monitor developments and to take any new actions that are warranted as new information emerges in this rapidly changing situation. Click here for information and updates about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our university.

• Stepping into a Leadership Position for the First Time

  Mar 1, 2022 11:45 am15 views

  This post explores how shedding the stereotypical perception of a leader as a commander and stepping into the role of a facilitator can help build trust and increase group productivity when stepping into a leadership position for the first time. 

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  Unmute, Speak, and Lead

  Apr 12, 2022 11:30 am22 views

  In a world stuck between virtual and in-person programming, our leadership skills need to encompass both settings. This article discusses one way you can be a leader in a virtual setting.

• Compassionate Leadership: What I've Learned

  Nov 8, 2023 3:30 pm27 views

  In this blog, an ILC graf intern explores the concept of compassionate leadership and how her time working at the Illinois Leadership Center has made her reevaluate her approach on what makes a competent leader.

• How Trying Calamari (and other things) Helped Me to Have Better Self-Management

  Dec 1, 2023 1:00 pm30 views

  Simplify life's complexities by discovering three transformative mindsets—curiosity, embracing opportunities, and reframing problems for effective self-management. With practical insights from her own experiences, an ILC graf intern emphasizes the gradual nature of this process and shares her wisdom on navigating life with intention and pride. 

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  The Shared "We"

  Mar 2, 2021 1:30 pm31 views

  This post goes into detail on the importance of Common Purpose in Leadership and how practicing this competency will make you a great leader. 

• Three essential key factors that will help you shine as a leader in your RSO

  Apr 21, 2022 9:30 am32 views

  This post provides advice on how to navigate the transition to a leadership position in an RSO after experiencing a major part of COVID. 

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  Becoming an Effective Leader in your first leadership position

  Feb 24, 2022 12:15 pm39 views

  This post provides insightful advice on how to be a confident and effective leader in your first leadership position.

• Recognizing my Strengths as a Leader

  Jul 7, 2021 1:15 pm39 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. 

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  Do You Really Trust Your Team? Do They Trust You?

  Apr 7, 2022 11:15 am45 views

  This post details on the importance of being a trustworthy leader and provides a piece of advice on people who are just about to start their leadership role, using soccer as an example.

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  Prioritizing Mental Health in Undergraduate Students Working Towards Professional & Graduate Programs

  Apr 18, 2022 11:30 am49 views

  This post explores mental health in undergraduate students working towards professional and graduate programs. This post also gives advice and strategies on how to manage one’s mental health in college.

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  Student Employment Reflections

  Jan 26, 2021 3:15 pm50 views

  Student employees at the Illinois Leadership Center share their experience while working at the ILC as well as some benefits to their positions. Information on student employment for the 2021-2022 school year is also shared. 

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  What Is A Personal Brand Anyway?

  Feb 6, 2023 2:00 pm53 views

  You have likely heard the term 'personal brand' before, but what does that mean? This article discusses what a personal brand is, and why leaders should care about their personal brand. The ways you talk or write, the interactions you have with others, and the way you spend your time are all aspects of your personal brand, whether you intentionally plan them or not. This article will help you begin reflecting on your personal brand.

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  Leading a remote team? Here are some tips for asynchronous success.

  Apr 29, 2022 11:15 am54 views

  In a post-pandemic world, it seems that working remotely is becoming more ingrained into the professional world. Remote team projects are becoming extremely commonplace. However, being a remote leader can be challenging. Here are some tips for leading a remote team from my experience as a remote team leader. 

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  Self Leadership

  Apr 28, 2022 11:00 am56 views

  This post explains the importance of self-leadership and goes into some topics regarding self-leadership. 

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  Undertaking the Leadership Certificate with a Science PhD

  Apr 6, 2021 1:15 pm58 views

  This post shares the experience of a Ph.D. student who also took on the Leadership Certificate Program, offered at the ILC. He talks about his experience, why he decided to do it, and the benefits that came out of the program for him. 

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  How My Experience at The LeaderShape® Institute™ Shaped My Understanding of Social Justice

  Feb 16, 2021 1:00 pm63 views

  The LeaderShape®  Institute™ was a great opportunity to learn more about social justice and hear from different viewpoints. My time at The LeaderShape®  Institute™  was very influential and I wanted to share how it helped my viewpoint of social justice. 

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  Add These to Your Leadership Reading List: ILC Resources and Our Upcoming Book Club

  Jan 23, 2023 4:00 pm64 views

  The Illinois Leadership Center’s Cavenaugh Leadership Library is a great resource for students and staff due to its various borrowable activities and books that can help anyone with improving their leadership competency. The ILC will also be launching a brand-new book club for those who enjoy stories of leadership in practice and for those who want to learn about newer, nontraditional theories of leadership. Learn more about what we have to offer!

• Is Leadership Conditional?

  May 3, 2022 11:30 am64 views

  When someone mentions the word leadership to you, what comes to mind? How can this concept be applied in a virtual setting? 

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  6 Tips for Successfully Leading a Team

  Jan 27, 2023 10:45 am65 views

  Leading a team can be intimidating, so here are six tips to help you the next time you are tasked to lead a team.

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  How to be a Leader in a Virtual Setting

  Apr 25, 2022 11:30 am67 views

  This post elaborates on a few strategies that students can implement in order to become a leader in a virtual setting. 

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  The Importance of Diversity in Leadership

  Oct 20, 2020 9:15 am67 views

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

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  Stress and Free Time: Learning How to Appreciate Leadership

  Oct 24, 2022 2:15 pm67 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.

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  How to be a Leader in a Virtual Setting

  Mar 22, 2022 11:45 am69 views

  This post is about the tools you will need as a leader online, and how to work on the skills you are confident in to succeed in a virtual environment.

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  Innovation in Leadership

  Apr 6, 2021 1:45 pm88 views

  This post goes into details on Innovation in leadership. It describes what innovation is and ways to embrace innovation in leadership and in our daily lives. 

• Innovation and Leadership

  Apr 6, 2021 1:45 pm90 views

  This post talks about innovation and the impacts it has on leadership. Innovation helps start trendsetters and conversation starters for leaders. It is important to recognize the impact innovation has on leaders. 

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  My Time at the ILC

  Apr 26, 2022 1:15 pm91 views

  This post is a student employee reflection on her time at Illinois and working at the Illinois Leadership Center. 

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  Indecisiveness & Leadership

  Sep 7, 2022 11:00 am113 views

  It is okay to be unsure so long as you recognize your indecisiveness. Identify what you can control and set goals that focus on it while keeping an eye on uncontrollable factors. If you are lost in a haze, do not hesitate to ask for help from reliable mentors or peers.

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  What Can Bad Leadership Lead to?

  Jan 27, 2023 11:15 am114 views

  The movie Team Foxcatcher (2016) is a perfect example of how multi-faceted ethical leadership issues can be. The story shows what bad leadership can do to subordinates and how maybe the leader isn't the only person to blame for the end result.

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  Challenges You Need To Encounter As A Leader

  Apr 15, 2020 5:00 pm115 views

  Leaders have the power to control people to do what they want. However, being a leader is not easy. He or she needs to face many challenges to build a strong, healthy working relationship with employees.

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  How Leaders Communicate Effectively

  Sep 22, 2020 10:30 am118 views

  Communication is something key in leadership as well as our everyday lives. This post goes into more detail on communication and gives some great advice on how to effectively use communication in different areas. 

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

  Oct 18, 2021 1:15 pm118 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. 

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  Being a Leader in the Advertising Industry

  Apr 14, 2020 12:00 am128 views

  This blog sums up the leadership qualities necessary for success when working in an advertising agency. It teaches college students how to prepare for the industry by being mindful of the way they act and work with others.

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

  Apr 15, 2020 11:00 pm132 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.

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  When Opportunity Knocks 

  Mar 1, 2022 11:15 am139 views

  This post talks about how to build your own personal leadership style and the benefits that can come from it. This post also gives advice on ways to improve your leadership and be a better leader to others in many different scenarios of life. 

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

  Jun 12, 2020 11:45 am139 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.

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  How to stay (sorta) stress-free in college

  Nov 15, 2021 12:45 pm144 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!

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  Jump Start Your Career with Leadership

  Apr 16, 2020 8:00 pm148 views

  This blog post highlights the importance of leadership and how it can positively influence your career readiness. Leadership is about constantly learning and to do this you must seek out experiences that will enhance your life design.

• Advice for someone entering a leadership role for the first time

  Mar 1, 2022 11:45 am156 views

  This post gives some advice on starting your first leadership role and how to be successful in the role. 

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  The Illinois Model of Leadership

  Apr 16, 2020 3:00 pm172 views

  Through a campus-wide initiative involving faculty, staff, and student participants, the ILC developed The Illinois Model of Leadership Education. Learn more about this framework used to inform and shape the practice of the leadership education at Illinois. 

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  Leadership in Social Justice

  Jan 27, 2023 11:00 am192 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.

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  Sustainability in Leadership

  Mar 16, 2021 2:00 pm216 views

  This post goes into depth on sustainability in leadership and emphasizes the importance of it. 

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

  Dec 6, 2021 2:15 pm224 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.

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  The Power of Integrity

  Mar 16, 2021 1:15 pm263 views

  This post talks about power of integrity and what makes it so important in life and leadership. 

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  Team Mentors & Team Members: How a Team Excels

  Feb 1, 2022 1:30 pm283 views

  This post talks about how important team members and team mentors are to an entire team. The post explains the importance of each role and effective ways to go about them.