So I hadn't really planned on writing this blog tonight and I had definitely not planned on writing on the topic that I'm about to. Normally I just talk about my day and how things went, but due to some of the happenings today and that it's close to Thanksgiving I want to talk about someone I am thankful to have in my life. I doubt they will read this, but I think it's important to recognize the impact this person has had in my life and in my development as a leader and as a person.
The person I am talking about is Tina Powellson. I met Tina through my involvement in Undergraduate Student Government (USG). She serves as the advisor for USG and works closely with our executive team. I met her really for the first time my sophomore year when I was elected as the treasurer. Over the last year that I've had the chance to get to know Tina she has quickly become one of the people I look up to the most.
The first thing I admire about her is that she truly loves her job. She is one of the hardest workers I know when it comes to the office of which she is a part of. She is consistently in the office very early and works late. It's not uncommon to see her work a 12 hour day multiple times a week. The reason I feel she does this is because of her passion for students. I've sat in on many meetings or seen her work closely with student and the work she does with them is great.
She treats students as equals, which is something that is hard to find even in the university world. It is something that I really appreciate. I know that I can have a conversation with Tina and be taken seriously and not have to worry about trying to always say the right things, but can be honest and she understands where I am coming from. Today is a prime example of this. I had a meeting with a campus administrator in which I felt as if I was being talked down to because I was a student and that my efforts in trying to create something for this university didn't mean anything since I didn't have her title. There were multiple times that Tina jumped in and fought for the student perspective or I think realized how frustrated I was getting and interjected to help the conversation head a certain way.
I have taken so many things from Tina that I don't think she may realize. Her leadership skills and ideas on many aspects are things I have noted and continue to try to incorporate into my practices. I decided to take her leadership class this semester and I am so glad that I did. Overall a lot of what I have learned or talked about I knew a little bit about, but it has been great getting to explore some of the topics that she is constantly telling our executive team for USG. Simple things such as recapping saying "If I'm hearing you correctly" are things I catch myself doing, and I know that by doing them I'm setting myself up to be a more successful leader because I can see how they have helped her in her positions.
One of the last reasons I admire her is because she is always able to challenge me. Many times I think I have the right idea or even if I do she brings something up that makes me thing about what I'm doing. Sometimes I think about it and I would still do the same thing other times it makes me change my mind. Either way it's OK, but her ability to make people justify their actions is great. It is almost like a constant check on my actions and I often find myself wanting to do my best because I don't want to disappoint her. It's much like a child parent aspect in that disappointing my parents is so much more of a worse feeling that it is to have them angry at me.
I know that I would not be the same person I am today if I had not had Tina in my life and been able to model myself after her to help myself grow. I am truly thankful for the opportunity that I have had to get to know her and hope that the lessons that she has taught me will carry on throughout my life and not only the remainder of my collegiate career. And Tina if you do read this I just have this to say to you..."Thank you for all that you do. Your hard work does not go unappreciated and it has made a profound difference in my life and who I will eventually become."
No comments:
Post a Comment