At some point in your life, you’ve probably heard a motivational speaker or teacher tell you that there is more than one way to lead. Maybe you’ve rolled your eyes or known they were right, but I had no idea how to put their advice into practice.

It’s a hard thought process to break, as the people we see as the strongest leaders are perceived as assured speakers, able to command an audience and a role model to those around them. I’m here to say that those teachers are right.

Confidence is a deeply personal struggle in my own life. To this day I receive comments from my friends that I talk more in 24 hours than I used to in a week. Four years ago, I couldn’t give presentations without shaking and refused to join school organizations. That could not be farther from the truth now.

Drury has played an incredible part in many ways. As a high schooler, I attended Drury Leadership Academy, a two-week program in July, for all four years. It was at times an exhausting challenge. I was a very quiet kid and making friends did not come naturally.

The moment that I pinpoint as when my life took a new path was in the middle of my first year at camp. We were divided into groups, talking about our StrengthsQuest results. It was supposed to last only 30 minutes as an interval period before our next activity.

Our group RA did something different, though. He asked each individual to read off our top traits, then requested that everyone else tell the person how they see those traits in them. We went well over an hour just talking to, encouraging and empowering each other. All of us walked out of that room (with the rest of the camp quite mad at us) closer and surer of ourselves.

Those connections are still with me today, as are the lessons and self-building that I did during my time there. I often think back on that night when I start doubting my abilities in class or in my organizations because I do not fit the bill for that traditional leader type. It reminds me that I may not have a certain set of talents, but there are people who are not able to do what I do either.

I found the people who did inspire me, and I figured out what it was about them that I looked up to. It wasn’t their speaking; it was how they took the time to make genuine connections with those around them. They weren’t the ones who told everyone what to do – they asked how everyone was feeling and addressed their concerns.

Having a hard time being heard does not denote your ability to lead. Of course, you are not just going to develop those skills just because you want them. It takes work, mistakes and self-reflection. PDEV courses at Drury, as well as the spring semester Elevate program, foster these ideas as well.

There are more ways than being the cheerleader, too. Focus on your own skills and what you find to be valuable. If everyone just domineered and take charge, nothing would get done.

Written by Maclen Johnson.