Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” It is a quote that has always stuck with me, one I find to be extremely powerful and true. Clear examples of Gandhi’s words can be seen all throughout history. Any and all technological advancements over time can be traced back to an inventor trying to improve the current way of life. Some of America’s greatest leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., came from the Civil Rights Movement in 1960, where they worked hard to create equality amongst all the races. It is for this reason that I take Gandhi’s quote as inspiration for my personal definition of leadership.

I am a firm believer in leading by example, in which a good leader does not just sit around telling people what he wants to happen, but he actually gets up, shows them, and is involved. Take Florence Nightingale for example--the 19th century British nurse who particularly revolutionized the face of medicine and nursing when she instituted a new code of sanitation in hospitals. Would that have happened at the time if Nightingale had just simply talked about implementing her new healthcare reforms rather than taking action and fighting for them? The answer is most likely no; people wouldn’t have listened to only words, they wouldn’t have cared. That’s because we as a society follow the examples of others we see around us—we are doers, not listeners. There are no written rules about how we act at every given moment in our lives—we take our cue from how our peers are acting. If we see a majority of them doing something, we assume it’s all right or expected for us to do the same. Those select few individuals who are the example for society to conform to and follow are leaders. Nevertheless, getting others to follow your lead is not the only quality of a leader.

Characteristics of a good leader often have to do with their interactions with people. They are generally well liked by their peers, are able to connect with others, and work well with other people—an overall ‘people person.’ It is important for leaders to not only be able to take but also give constructive criticism. Furthermore, having good listening and conversation skills is a vital characteristic for a leader. Being the change you want to see in the world, being a leader, isn’t just for large-scale powerful historical figures. It doesn’t even mean you have to go out and end world hunger or save the red panda. A leader is someone who sets an example and inspires those around them, no matter how big or small that example is.

When it comes down to it, Mahatma Gandhi said it best: with the right leadership skills and practice, all it takes to change the world is you.

"Leave a Light on for Me"

By Alexa Jones

The world today feels suffocating

With darkness closing in tight.

We stumble along blindly

Searching for a light.

In the dark we are helpless

And succumb to our fear.

Only a light can save us

From the hatred we hold dear.

Turn a light on for the sinners,

Turn a light on for the saints.

Turn a light on for the artist

So we'll finally see what he paints.

Shed light upon the valley

Of the shadow of death

So that we may go gracefully,

Releasing our last breath.

Then together we will wake

And see the world lit anew.

Leave a light on for me, darling,

And I'll turn one on for you.