A student worker feels responsible for the task.
A student leader feels responsible to his or her people.
When you were given your position as a leader (whether you were elected or selected), there were certain responsibilities that were both natural and necessary for you to accomplish. There were certain tasks that needed to be accomplished.
Let's say that one of your responsibilities is an annual awards ceremony. The difference between a student worker and a student leader can be identified in the way one approaches the event. The student worker will begin to create a large to-do list of all of the things that need to be accomplished for a successful event. The student leader will begin by identifying key people that he or she can bring on board to create a successful event. One focuses more on tasks, the other more on people.
The student worker may begin to see that he or she needs to get some assistance from other people because the tasks are too great for one person to accomplish. But the focus will still be on the accomplishment of the task. The goal is to get something done.
The student leader realizes that there are numerous tasks, but focuses on signing up the right people - matching gifts and abilities with tasks and assignments. The focus is on developing people and a team, putting people in the right place for them to succeed. The goal is to invest in someone else.
In the end, both the student worker and the student leader work toward creating a successful awards ceremony. A student worker will feel satisfaction because the awards ceremony was successful. Success, in this instance, is measured by the accomplishment and success of the event.
The student leader will feel satisfaction because he or she created a team of people that flourished in the areas of their strengths and worked together to acheive something meaningful. The measurement of success here is based on value it adds to people's lives.
How do you view your job description?
Do you see people as a way to add value to your tasks?
Or do you see tasks as a means to add value to people?
Which do you focus on more: tasks or people?
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Previous Posts In The Student Worker Or Student Leader Series
• Student Worker Or Student Leader [3b of 7]
• Student Worker Or Student Leader [3 of 7]
• Student Worker Or Student Leader [2 of 7]
• Student Worker Or Student Leader [1 of 7]
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