Leader or Administrator?

A couple of months ago I was elected to serve as President of a speech club I’d joined. So far I’m experiencing some learning curve, but it’s been a good experience. I am also thankful that the club is one of the most laid back and friendly ones in our area, which was why I ended up choosing this club as the one I would call my “home club” and compete in speech contests as its representative.

I must admit, though, I was reluctant to serve in this role. Let me say that I never had any sort of “political” ambition.

Yes, I have a desire to “change the world”, but never through running for office.

Yes, I have a passion to “serve as a voice”, but never through political delegation.

Even in high school, the highest office in student clubs that I was interested in signing up for was secretary or treasurer, because I didn’t mind taking notes and keeping records and - I’ll be honest - I was too lazy to make the effort to “serve” in roles that require lots of shaking hands and campaigning and so forth. Those of you who know me for a good amount of time will have heard me say at some point that I prefer introversion and have maybe 1.5 hours of tolerance to be in a crowd of people.

I didn’t have to campaign at all for the office of club president, in fact I was elected during my extended absence (due to health reasons). I was fully expecting the serving President to continue her office, because she did a great job at creating such a positive and friendly environment, and everyone - including me - would have voted her back. She wanted to a break from that position and take another officer position.

And here I am.

When I started writing this, I intended to write my observations about how this office was more of an administrative one than a true “leadership” one. Just this week, for example, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a member who, in corporate management speak, would be classified as “problematic and low-performing”, and have the type of conversation that communication books write about. In a way, I felt like I was in a middle manager position, sounding as if I were in a leadership position, but was really in an administrative position.

Now I realize that the reason I felt like I was in an administrative position was because I chose to make it such.

I also realize that if I want to be in a leadership position, then I am the one to choose as much.

I may have been a reluctant club president.

The time has come for me to make like Jean Luc Picard and “make it so.” (email?)