Mentor/s
my professor for the course i presented this presentation in was professor Brent French
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
This presentation explores my leadership journey, intertwining personal experiences with key leadership theories. Using the metaphor of a river, I illustrate how pivotal moments—such as committing to play Division 1 lacrosse, overcoming an ACL injury, and winning a championship—have shaped my resilience, adaptability, and ability to support others. The most profound challenge, losing my father during my senior year, further solidified my understanding of leadership as a process of perseverance and empathy.
Throughout this course, I have deepened my understanding of leadership by engaging with theories such as Peter G. Northouse’s definition of leadership as an influence process and insights from the film 12 O’Clock High, which revealed the balance between empathy and decisiveness. Through class exercises like the Everest simulation, I recognized that leadership is not just about taking charge but also about listening, adapting, and uniting people toward a common goal.
Additionally, my immunity map reflection revealed the need to balance ambition with self-care, a realization that directly connects to my leadership growth. I now understand that setting boundaries and trusting myself are essential for leading with confidence. The image of a tree represents my leadership journey—constantly evolving, with strong roots of experience and knowledge.
Ultimately, my leadership philosophy centers on resilience, empathy, and growth. To continue developing as a leader, I must trust myself more, prioritize my well-being, and embrace leadership as a lifelong learning process.
College and Major available
Management BS, Marketing BS
Academic Level
Undergraduate student
Location
Session 6: Digital Commons & Martire 217
Start Day/Time
4-24-2025 2:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-24-2025 3:15 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
My Leadership Story
Session 6: Digital Commons & Martire 217
This presentation explores my leadership journey, intertwining personal experiences with key leadership theories. Using the metaphor of a river, I illustrate how pivotal moments—such as committing to play Division 1 lacrosse, overcoming an ACL injury, and winning a championship—have shaped my resilience, adaptability, and ability to support others. The most profound challenge, losing my father during my senior year, further solidified my understanding of leadership as a process of perseverance and empathy.
Throughout this course, I have deepened my understanding of leadership by engaging with theories such as Peter G. Northouse’s definition of leadership as an influence process and insights from the film 12 O’Clock High, which revealed the balance between empathy and decisiveness. Through class exercises like the Everest simulation, I recognized that leadership is not just about taking charge but also about listening, adapting, and uniting people toward a common goal.
Additionally, my immunity map reflection revealed the need to balance ambition with self-care, a realization that directly connects to my leadership growth. I now understand that setting boundaries and trusting myself are essential for leading with confidence. The image of a tree represents my leadership journey—constantly evolving, with strong roots of experience and knowledge.
Ultimately, my leadership philosophy centers on resilience, empathy, and growth. To continue developing as a leader, I must trust myself more, prioritize my well-being, and embrace leadership as a lifelong learning process.
Students' Information
Claire Ferguson
majors: marketing and management
Honors student
graduation year: 2025