Student Leadership-Learn how to be an effective leader

[Kim Masi]

What makes an effective leader?

After being involved in a class called “Introduction to Leadership Studies”, I have learned so many concepts when it comes to leadership, that I couldn’t help but want to share it with everyone. Here are some ideas I learned in my first few weeks of class (with some of my own insight too!) Feel free to respond with your thoughts, opinions, questions, disagreements, anything!

The most essential part of leadership is making sure that all of the members of your organization are on the same page. What does this mean exactly? Making sure that everyone is clear of the group’s goals and ambitions. The goals and ambitions will then in turn inspire the team members to want to accomplish something. However the essential part is making sure that all members know the team’s central ambition. For example, if your team’s central ambition is “to learn more about science and technology”, and then everyone on the team should be driven towards this goal. The goal itself should be able to motivate the team members; the leader should not have to motivate them. If you have to motivate your team towards something, then you know their hearts aren’t really there. Perhaps, this means the team must re-establish its goals collectively and collaboratively. As a part of the overall team goal, make sure that each individual sub-team and team members establish personal goals. Encourage team members to take control of their work.

Collaboration is essential to any team or organization. Simple acts such as voting on a button design or voting on which elements to include on the robot will make the entire team feel united and will make each team member feel like they are a part of the team. The biggest thing a team leader can do is asking someone’s opinion. This makes everyone feel included, and want to be a part of the team effort.

Occasionally as the leader, you will have to step out of your comfort zone in order to include everyone. If certain members are unable to feel included in the team, help them to make meaning out of something, help them to feel connected with the team. It is the leader’s job to help other students find what they are good at so they can make a meaningful contribution. “Leadership is an influence relationship”. Just remember that relationships are key to making a successful robotics team. Reach out to every member on the team. Make this experience personal for them.


Although these concepts seem simple and unimportant, they are key to making any organization, like a robotics team successful.

Any thoughts? Opinions? Hope some people can learn from this…

[Jeff Rodriguez]

This sounds alot like a book by John Wooden titled "Wooden on Leadership". If you haven't read it, you can get alot of information from it. It's one of the best books I've read.

[Kim Masi]

A lot of what I'm learning comes from "Creating Leaderful Organizations" By Joseph Raelin, a research professor at Northeastern and another text called "Exploring Leadership" which is written by a bunch of people. The second is made especially for college students. Both are amazing texts.