Name: Craig McKenzie
Year: Senior
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: McLean, VA
Plans for next year: I'll be attending the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine. I also plan on adding a dual degree in Higher Education Administration from Penn's Graduate School of Education.
Where do I see myself in 10 years: I hope to be teaching and practicing at a top US dental school. I also plan on continuing my involvement in organized dentistry through the ADA.
Leadership is the dynamic process of inspiring and motivating others to create meaningful social change.
"Leadership is the dynamic process"
Leadership is a balancing act that never stays stagnant. As a leader, you are always adjusting to new situations and working with new people. The balance between leader and follower cannot be under emphasized. Without followers, a leader is nothing other than a guy with a megaphone speaking to no one. There needs to be constant movement and adjustments to be sure there is concord between the leader and follower. There is also a dynamic in that leadership and management must be balanced. At the end of the day, tasks have to be completed. We have to get work done. So fluctuating between pure inspiration on one end of the spectrum and the assignment of duties (management) is leadership.
"of inspiring and motivating others"
Leaders are charismatic. They're charming. They're good at talking to people. And they better be... Like I said before, a leader without loyal followers is useless. People have to look up to and respect their leaders. When something needs to get done, followers will act because they want to help their leader move closer toward their common goal.
"to create meaningful social change"
Anytime we act to lead, we are trying to get something done. We're trying to make a change. Since every change impact people or society, I'll call this change a "social change." This meaningful social change is the common goal that leaders and followers are working towards. It's the fuel that feeds the well oiled machine. The goal has to have meaning because without meaning, there's no motivation to get the work done. Again... followers hold all the power. If they don't like the social change taking place, they won't work to make it happen and the leader becomes powerless.
