Importance Of Leadership Experience

From the very start of my Naval Academy experience on Induction Day, I have been constantly immersed in a wide variety of different leadership philosophies ranging anywhere from negative to positive. As a follower plebe year, I was a participant in the “leadership laboratory” that is Bancroft Hall run by the upperclassmen. During this time, I was able directly witness which types of leadership and training techniques that were effective and benefitted to my personal development, as well as the methods that did not work. As I advanced through the Academy and eventually became an upperclassman in leadership positions with responsibilities, I am now able to remember and reflect on these experiences from when I was a follower. In doing so, I can now focus on the positive methods that worked to influence me and try to steer away from the negative techniques that were not as effective. A leader does not simply wake up one morning and find their leadership philosophy. It is a combination of all of their personality and past experiences. The Naval Academy gives midshipmen ample opportunities to broaden their leadership tool box through followership, classroom instruction, and most importantly, by putting midshipmen in real leadership positions within their company and clubs so that they can form their leadership philosophy

Through different leadership positions and the interactions with the people around me while in those positions, I have learned that when put in situations I am effective at showing enthusiasm even when executing tasks that are not necessarily enjoyable to complete. I am also good at thinking critically about the different outcomes as a result of different courses of action and thinking ahead on tasks. Because of this, I am confident in