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If you're a college student with an opinion, if you want to see change in the world you live in, if you want to leave your college or university just a little bit better than when you found it, you should pick up The Student Leadership Guide by Brendon Burchard. It's designed to bring out the leader we all have inside of us, and there is a leader in all of us.
What's cool about The Student Leadership Guide is that it's designed to serve you personally and help you to become the leader you were meant to be, and want to be. Even before the first chapter begins, there is a section for you to reflect and write down what leadership means to you. The rest of the book jumps off your personal diving board.
Brendon Burchard explains that leaders are not always what we think them to be. They don't have to be the president of your club or the most popular person in your class. They are simply individuals like everyone else who have a vision, and the courage and initiative to see that vision become reality.
They want to make a change for the future for the sake of themselves, but more importantly, for the good of everyone else. So they start a project that's heading in that direction. They get others on board who share that vision, and the leader helps those people see that same dream come true, too. Don't think of the leader as someone running up a ladder. That person only has themselves in mind. Instead, think of the leader as that friend who calls everyone they know to hike up a hill on a sunny day off from school. That friend brings enough water to share, and comes back for that last person who takes a seat on a rock because he doesn't think he can make it to the top. Burchard's kind of leader is a well-rounded, kind role model who is there to help others. He speaks about the valuable characteristics all leaders have, such as trustworthiness, good communication skills and a passion for what they believe in. Every chapter provides questions and steps to become the kind of leader Brendon Burchard envisions.
The second half of the book gets you thinking about how to put your dream for the future into action, and into reality. A section called Empower explains the significance in getting others involved in your goal, and how to do so in a matter that gets them just as excited and dedicated for a change as you are.
What might be one of the most beneficial aspects of this book is the Leadership-Self-Check questions at the end of many chapters. These questions are designed to be a bit like a checks and balances system and a constant evaluation of your leadership, your group and your vision. You are asked to reflect on yourself and you are asked to have others reflect on you. One example question of what you might ask yourself is, "Am I giving attention to my collaborators? Are they placed at the center?" An example question you might ask your group is, "Am I helping?" or "Do I listen enough?".
The Student Leadership Guide focuses on reflection and evaluation, which can only make you, your organization, and your goals stronger, and your chances of making a change greater.
The guide is a pretty quick read. It's organized into sections so it's easy to read a little and then set it down when you have to go to class or go to bed. It's motivational. Just reading through it and thinking about the questions will inspire you to become Brendon Burchard's leader.
© 2009 Maria L. Pascucci /Campus Calm.
About the founder:
Maria Pascucci is the President of Campus Calm –
the international online-community for today's stressed-out students, and
their parents and educators. Download your Stress-Less Kit with 4 FREE
gifts at www.campuscalm.com.
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