Reflecting on Passages from an Article: AP Literature and Composition I

“Does being a leader, I wondered, just mean being accomplished, being successful? Does getting straight A’s make you a leader? I didn’t think so. Great heart surgeons or great novelists or great shortstops may be terrific at what they do but that doesn’t mean they’re leaders.” (2)

https://theamericanscholar.org/solitude-and-leadership/#.W8tcZWhKjD4

The narrator, William Deresiewicz, writes this article with the purpose of highlighting the role of leaders in society. He emphasizes the true definition of leadership by providing examples in a real-life context. Deresiewicz defines leadership as a role that strongly demonstrates an individual’s courage from a moral and an ethical perspective.  However, he has come to find that in today’s world, examples of true leaders are lacking and are hard to find. One reason for this is that people sometimes confuse success and accomplishment with leadership. Individuals can be successful by operating within a system and following the rules. Deresiewicz emphasizes that leadership is about having independent thought and creative ideas and being able to implement those ideas. People who have those qualities and are true leaders are in short supply. Deresiewicz portrays leaders as individuals who may be more silent than the typical stereotype. This characteristic of leadership is significant because it illustrates that introverts can still be effective as leaders, regardless of whether they are vocal or outgoing.

This specific passage resonated with me because it highlighted the difference between success and leadership. The timeless adage, “actions speak louder than words”, reinforces how your behavior and choices are more important than your words. People may be tempted to shy away from a position of leadership because of their quiet personalities. Yet, quiet personalities can become strong leaders if they exhibit a sense of direction and focus. As someone who identifies with an introvert more than an extrovert, I found this line immediately striking. You do not have to have to be loud or successful to be an effective leader. A leader can come in various shapes and sizes. From this article, I learned that I could have the potential to be a leader because I follow through on my commitments, I try to think first, I listen, I advocate for myself, and I set examples for others to follow. I have always been a motivated student, driven by big goals of being accepted into a prestigious college, which will lead me to a successful career. This passage illustrated that whatever career I end up having is worthless unless I exhibit qualities of a leader. This passage reminds me that I do have the potential of becoming a leader because of the various kinds of leaders that can exist, if I adapt to the rapidly changing world and continue to think independently. I came to the realization while reading this passage that I value the qualities of leadership that Deresiewicz defined and those are the traits that will help define my future success.  

-Stephanie Sandra