Who Develops Leaders?

Hey Renewing Leadership Land!

So between my last post and this one, I have started a new position as the Assistant Director of Residence Life at St. Olaf College. I let you know this because I believe that his change will be the spark of many new thoughts and ideas about leadership – because this concept is now central to my job responsibilities as I have direct oversight with the leadership development opportunities within residence life here.

As I’ve gone through my first week of learning a new culture, new institution and a new perspective of doing leadership, I’ve been thinking about what actually develops a leader? In my last post, I talked about the act of leadership simply being the person that steps up and says “I will”. But, what is it that helps that leader become a better leader – because that’s what we’re trying to do, right?

If we left students to their own devices and provided opportunities for leadership – to make changes in their residence hall, to hold a position in student government, etc, would they improve? Outside of the realm of higher education – the local district board chairperson, the manager at the bakery, the non-profit director… how do these individuals improve at what they do? Sure, some improvements come over time and through experience, familiarity with tasks, streamlining of processes. But, how do people get better at leadership?

Based off of my brainstorming this week, I’m not sure that simply providing experiences or opportunities for people to be in leadership roles means that there is an opportunity for leadership development. Thus, in the context of my role and perspective here, I was searching for what the other component is that is offered to college students aside from the opportunity of an experience, and I came to the role that a mentor plays in developing leadership for a growing leader.

Oh, the role of the mentor. In some senses, isn’t that what an effective leader can be? An individual who helps make the people around him or her better? If this is true, does the mentor’s role become mentoring a mentee on how to mentor? Does that even make sense?

I’m not sure it really matters if it makes sense or not. I think to say that the mentor is the necessary component for leadership development to occur is far too arrogant and self-promoting to be true. However, I do believe that the mentor can be very effective at facilitating the one thing that does help leaders develop – reflecting.

Whether there are question prompts to respond to internally via journaling or intentional questions about the experience of leadership that are discussed in person, I believe that the act taking time to process and think about the ups and downs, ins and outs, improvements for next time, etc. is the difference maker in helping leaders develop.

I think that’s all I have for this post. If you work with students – think for yourself, how can you help students become more effective reflectors? When you spend time with them, are you just building a relationship or are you really helping them think critically about their experience?

As always comments, disagreements, thoughts, and questions are much obliged!