1. Description
My STEP project centered around leadership that led to an expedition in West Virginia. In Spring of 2021, I participated in the class BUSMHR 3500/3501, which is a class that focuses on leadership in high-stakes situations. After completing this class, my team took a trip to West Virginia to test our new leadership skills through rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting.
2. Transformation that took place
I think both of these classes changed my perspective on how I view myself as a leader and how I define the term success. Before this class, I did not know what type of leader I was, and I was not confident in my ability to lead a team. Through discussions in 3500/3501, I was quickly able to identify my leadership style and how I can use it to my advantage when leading my team.
In addition to this, during the classes and expedition, I began to change my definition of what being a successful leader and success looks like. For me, success has always been defined as completing the task at hand, and in the case of the expedition, making it to the top of the mountain. I slowly began to realize that this definition of success was causing me to have negative self-talk and causing me to stress about the wrong things. I was able to change this definition to be more productive and encourage myself to try, rather than forcing myself. My new definition of success consists of doing more than I thought I could, pushing myself to be better than last time, not judging myself for what I can accomplish, and being proud of myself no matter what.
3. Key aspects of the transformation
My perspective first started to change about leadership during the class during the spring semester. Each week we did cases with our team, which was me and two other girls. We had to work through these cases, learn how to problem-solve, and build trust with one another. During these cases, I was able to see how much my teammates supported me and believed in me to be a good leader. They gave me all the confidence I needed to see the potential I had in myself. I always tried to do the same for them as well. I think this class also helped me start to change my perspective on success. We talked in-depth about rock climbing and did readings about it as well. Understanding that many experienced rock climbers are not always “successful” with every climb. The way they were able to get over this was by changing how they defined a “good” climb. It helped to see how they may have experienced the same things I had been feeling.
The first time during my expedition I was able to redefine the term success was during the first day of climbing at New River Gorge. This was one of my very first times climbing, and I was extremely scared of the outcome of this climb. I wanted to make it to the top so badly. I realized immediately that I was getting in my head and making myself more anxious than I needed to be for this climb. I needed to quickly change my mindset. What was going to make this climb “successful” was not making it to the top, but enjoying the experience and learning through the process. Once I changed my mindset, the climb did not seem so scary and difficult. I was doing this climb for the experience, not because I needed to accomplish some goal. I did end up finishing the climb and making it to the top. I was extremely proud of myself and I felt so confident because I was having fun the whole time, rather than getting in my head.
This first day of climbing gave me the boost of confidence and peace of mind that I needed for my next day of climbing at Seneca Rocks. Seneca was the bigger of the two climbs that we completed. Though I was extremely nervous, I thought back to the previous day and thought about my mindset and what I was capable of with this mindset. Because of this, I was able to take on more of a leadership role during my climb. This was a different leadership experience than I was used to. Outside in an environment that was unknown made me adapt my leadership style. Through the climb, I was able to lead and encourage my team. There were rougher patches that we all had to lean on each other for support. We all made it to the top and it was one of the greatest feelings. I was so proud of being a leader in my team and making sure that everyone had a positive experience.
4. Change or transformation that is valuable to my life
Changing my perspective and definition of the word success is extremely important when it comes to academics. I have always put a tremendous amount of stress on myself when it comes to school and grades. I viewed success as doing well in the class, getting higher than the average on an assignment, getting an A in the class. While all of those things are important, it created a lot of unnecessary stress and pressure on me to do this for every class and every assignment. Through redefining the word “success”, I have been able to change my perspective on my grades and “do well” in a class. I now see that success in a class comes from actually learning the material and enjoying what I am learning. It is not about only taking in information just to spit it back out on a test. In turn, this has helped my grades because I am taking in things that I learn and taking the time to process them and make sure that I understand.
Leadership has been and probably will always be a central part of my life and identity. I strived to be a leader in classes, clubs/organizations, jobs, etc. My leadership has only been made stronger and more secure since this class and expedition. Next semester, I will be interning with PwC in their audit practice. Self-leadership will be crucial in this role. Though questions will always be encouraged, I must know how to lead myself through the problems and tasks I am given. As an intern, I will also be working with a team. I want to do more than just be a follower, I now know that I am confident in my leadership ability and to the title of the leader if/when needed in this setting.
