In many classes at Rensselaer, we are placed within groups in which team dynamics play a major role in the success of projects. It is not only classes that involve team dynamics, but also extracurriculars, including athletics, greek life, and clubs. As we will all be placed in leadership roles throughout our lives, it is important that we remember what qualities are most important for success. The ability to relate to others and motivate through non-monetary means will stay with us for life. I often hear peers complain about how, in the real world, bad team members would simply be fired. While this is definitely true in some situations, the majority of leadership will be in positions where team dynamics must be solved without firing individuals. I agree with Jim Collins, author of Built to Last, and Good to Great, in which he says the right people need to be on the “bus” for a successful organization. But even with all the right people, it takes an acute ability to lead through empathy. We need to realize that everyone responds differently to varying stimulus, and the ability to identify these differences is of prime importance.

Reflecting back through my leadership experiences, I have realized that the most successful groups I have led, or have been a member of, have valued everyone’s personal opinions and have stressed the importance of recognizing everyone’s personal stories. Empathy allows us to gain the most out of our peers and ourselves. Other leadership skills, when paired with the ability to vicariously experience the feelings of others, make for the most motivational and inspiring leader. Being an election year, it may be beneficial to judge the candidates through their ability to empathize with others. We will always hear stories from the candidates about how they have helped others, but it may be important to read between the lines on other issues to evaluate each candidate.