What was the most challenging leadership experience that you have faced? What made it so difficult, and what did you learn from this? On the flipside, what was the worst leadership experience that you have faced? What made it so terrible in your eyes, and what did you learn from this?
The best leadership experience I had was with a coach. He made us as players want to follow him. We have a tremendous amount of respect for him because we recognize that what we are doing is making us better. This coach taught us to do everything we do with a purpose. Coach made us want to get up early and get better. Our attitude as a team was strictly business when we came to practice, because attitude reflects leadership.
The worst leadership experience I had was with a teacher in grade school. She thought that she could bully the students into giving her respect, but it backfired. As she put more pressure on us to respect her, my class' distaste for her grew. We did not listen in class or give her the respect that she probably deserved as a teacher because she thought she could come in and just have our respect, a true leader earns respect.
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Nicole Perfetto
1/28/2013 08:06:27 am
The most challenging leadership experience, was when I was co-president in the eighth grade. Within the student coucil body we had to come up with an idea to present to the school, about an event we were going to hold. The student council consisted of about 12 students, so it was extremely difficult to get a common desicion that the majority of us could agree on. I learned that a lot about being an effective leader is learning how to compromise to get things done.
The worst leadership experience I have ever been through was when I ran for classroom representative in the 7th grade. I unfortunatly lost, but if I would have let that defeat keep me from running the next year, I would have never became co-president in the eighth grade. This is one of the most effective and important skills to learn in order to be a powerful leader, never getting defeated when you loose at first. If you automatically quit when you loose, you will never know what you are truly capable of. This is the true meaning of being a positive and strong leader.
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Hallie Stacho
1/28/2013 08:46:50 am
The most challenging leadership experience I had was being a retreat leader for the Cleveland Central Catholic freshmen retreat. The CCC freshmen came to the NDCL campus in the fall and I was asked to lead them through ice-breakers and the ropes course. It was difficult because the kids didn’t want to be there and wouldn’t cooperate. I tried to give directions to the games but the freshmen were rude and didn’t care. As the day went on, the freshmen eventually started listening to me and become more respectful. I learned from this experience not to give up when faced with difficult situations or stubborn people. This experience almost helped me with my patience.
The worst leadership experience I faced has been through a program I volunteer through at the ice rink called “Special Skate.” I volunteer with a bunch of my friends and we teach mentally and physically handicapped children and adults how to ice skate. We are supposed to give our full attention to our student and be a dedicated and respectful teacher, but sometimes my friends just prefer to fool around. This is difficult because I’d rather goof off and have fun, too, but I know I need to be a strong leader and be fair to my student. From this I’ve learned that what is fun and what everyone else is doing is not always what a leader should do. Sometimes a leader has to stand up against what their friends are doing, even if they’re standing alone.
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Jimmy Vanek
1/28/2013 08:54:29 am
The most challenging leadership experience I ever had to face was by far homecoming week this past fall. We had so much to do and it seemed like everything was working against us. I had to dig down deep and leader both through hard work and delegation. The thing that made it so difficult was that a million things had to be done and the time that we had to do this was not very good. I learned from this expereince that all things are possible through determination and prayer.
The worst leadership experience I ever had to face was when i lead my siblings to disobey my parents and we screwed up immensely. I was not as much upset that I failed as I was upset that I let my parents down and that they were disappointed in me. It was very hard to see my parents so upset with me. I learned that sometimes the best form of leadership is to set the example of being good and not disobeying.
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Nick Evans
1/28/2013 09:12:41 am
The most challenging leadership experience I ever faced was probably leading the football team this past season as a captain. I had to be a role model for around 50 student athletes for 12 weeks. I had to lead not only with my words, but with my actions as well. The most challenging part was keeping the sophomores motivated in practice. I had to make them realize how big of a difference they actually make. I learned how to build the team up and motivate them in practice and when we were behind in games.
The worst leadership experience I ever had was when I was in charge of a group of children at a vacation bible school a couple years ago. I had to keep them under control and that meant keeping them quiet. I didn't really do a good job since there were a couple kids who wouldn't quit talking no matter what i said or did. They didn't listen to me at all. I guess I learned that I should keep trying at a goal of mine when I'm put in a leadership position (keeping them quiet).
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Sheila Smith
1/28/2013 09:52:02 am
The most challenging leadership experience has been being Drum Major this year. It was difficult because I not only had to lead students younger than me, but my peers as well. I wanted to make sure we had a both fun and successful band season and I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to handle the job. I didn’t want people to think that I wasn’t fit for the responsibility or keep things under control. I hope to be able to make the band and the school proud. Through this experience, I learned to have more confidence in my abilities and to have more faith in myself. I also learned how rewarding leadership opportunities can be and that I shouldn’t be scared to pursue them.
I’ve witnessed some difficult leadership in extracurricular activities outside of school. I found it difficult because some people weren’t helping to create a positive environment or put in hard work and energy in the activity. Also, sometimes people would break rules or be very lenient, causing them to set a bad example for those they are leading. It was also difficult because I couldn’t say much to help the situation. I wished I could have done something about it to help make the experience better.
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Mary Lenk
1/28/2013 10:31:40 am
The most challenging leadership experience I had was being the tennis team captain for the past two years. This was so challenging because I have to be a role model and set an example for the team both on the court and off. I felt the pressure to show respect to our coach and work hard everyday at practice and during the matches even when my teammates would not. I had to make the effort to be the mature one which was hard when our coach seemed so unreasonable or irrational. From this experience I learned that a leader needs to be a role model and be respectful. I learned when to stand with my team and when to side with the coach because I was considering both viewpoints.
My worst leadership experience was with some friends. I had to be a leader by standing up for a person and helping them get through a hard time when I didn't even known him well. I ended up sitting with him all night while he became sick and scared. I really wanted to go back to my other friends. Although I had to sacrifice my night, I know that that person needed me. Looking back, I've learned that leadership can come out in everyday situations and it can make the difference in a person's life.
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Daniel McIlroy
1/28/2013 10:32:12 am
The most challenging leadership experience I have ever faced was being the president for our pro-life group. It was challenging because I it can be really hard standing up for the pro-life movement because many people are opposed to my view. Being the head of the group, I have head to set an example for all the members of the group by standing up for life in every circumstance. This can be espescially difficult when some of your own friends don't have the same views as you do.
The worst leadership experience I have had is probably within my family. I know that since I am in a big family, I have a lot of younger siblings watching me. As a result, every little mistake I make, they will follow. Unfortunately, I have made many mistakes that they have in turn followed.
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James O'Toole
1/28/2013 11:00:56 am
The most challenging leadership experience I have ever had is the leadership role I have towards my little brother. He looks up to me and I want him to reach his full potential. It is hard because everything I push him towards are usually not what he is interested in. It has made me appreciate everyone because my relationship with him has made me understand that everyone is their own, individual person.
The worst leadership role I have ever had was my role at my former job, Jersey Mike's Subs. I was expected to be a leader and I did everything I could, but I was always looked down on from other employees, mainly because I was a kid. This taught me that in some experiences in life you will deal with people who judge a book by its cover. So when you are thrust in a leadership role make sure to prove what you know you are capable of.
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Kelly Nieser
1/28/2013 11:15:57 am
The most challenging experience with leadership that I have faced in my life would definitely be taking care of my great aunt at the end of her life, while she was fighting cancer. She wasn't a big part of my life growing up, so at first it was kind of confusing having her come live with my family out of everyone. However, she needed love and care, and we wanted to bring her happiness, especially during her last moments of life. I was only in 7th grade at the time, but I learned that it is incredibly important to put others before yourself. I took care of her, looked out for her, and eventually developed a relationship with her. I learned you don't have to be close with someone in order to make a major impact on their life. Taking care of my aunt helped me learn so much about myself, and brought out qualities in me, such as love and compassion. Because of this one experience, I want to share these qualities with the world.
The worst leadership experience that I have faced was definitely this past Fall, when I was on retreat planning TEAM for the next Life Teen Retreat. I had gone on a countless number of these retreats and had led 2 already. However, my faith in God was not where it should have been because I didn't want to be there, and I felt like I had gained nothing from this leadership role. I was being selfish when I was supposed to be putting others before myself. I realized that I was at fault when we were actually on retreat, and God spoke to me in ways where I was able to put my love and compassion to use by helping the retreatants.
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Jenny Raguz
1/28/2013 11:16:31 am
The most challenging leadership experience I have faced has been leading the ndcl softball team. I must lead on and off the field with grades, play, words, and actions. The most difficult part is keeping the team's spirits up and personally remaining calm. The coaches can be hard to deal with at times, so comforting especially the underclassmen is hard to do when you too are constantly being put down. I've learned to have a filter and only take in the good and to use set backs as motivation to encourage my teammates. I must also stay relaxed so others don't freak out even more. Joking around to lighten the mood is one of my goals for this season.
The worst leadership experience I've faced was again with ndcl softball. After a double header and the next day off in Florida, we had a 12 am curfew from the parks. While leading 13 other girls around Disney, we had to take the monorail to a bus then to another bus to get back to the resort. Well I led the team onto the wrong monorail, going in a circle. When we got back to the resort past curfew coach was understanding but he was still disappointed. In my eyes I let not only him but my teammates down. I was given responsibility and I failed in that. From this I leaned to plan beforehand. Always be prepared and to keep track of time and schedule in possible misshapds.
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Julie Zagar
1/28/2013 11:28:01 am
The most challenging leadership experience I ever faced was leading a group of 8th graders as a sophomore for their 8th grade retreat. At the time, I didn’t have a lot of experience as a leader and I wanted to do my best for them to have a good time but trying to get them to focus on the message of the retreat and what they were to prepare for seemed harder than I thought. There was a group of boys that just did not listen and I literally had to chase them around the church and get them to go back in the basement and participate in the activities going on. I had to find an engaging way to get them to partake in the retreat so that they would get the most out of it. I learned from this experience that patience is a virtue and if I’m willing and put enough effort forth, I would be able to get others to follow in my actions and do what was right.
The worst leadership experience I have faced would probably be leading by example towards my younger sister. She’s a junior and the way I act now is how she’s beginning to act and it’s not good. She sees that I have a negative attitude towards school and work and how I complain and not want to do anything and she’s starting to pick up on it. I’m supposed to be her role model but she sees me go out on Friday nights and not come home till Sunday after mass and she wonders where I’ve been, when in all reality I’m avoiding any school work that has to get done by staying at friends’ houses. It’s terrible because I want her to succeed in life, I want her to continue to have good grades and for her to do something after highschool because she knows that I’m not. I have definitely learned from this experience that I can’t push her to be the best she can be if I don’t push myself and start thinking positively and getting my life on track for a future. I’ve learned to better myself so that I can be a positive and strong influence on her.
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Kim Saluan
1/28/2013 11:30:48 am
The most challenging leadership experience that I have faced was probably leading freshman retreat. Its not that the kids were hard to lead or anything it was just the first time I ever felt like i had an actual leadership role and the freshmen were actually being affected by what I said and did. The freshmen were making comments judging me from the moment i said what i was involved in at ndcl. I was the senior kind of leading everything in my group and I had to be the one to speak up if the kids were being judgemental of other classmates and really try to help them get something out of it. I wanted to be a great leader in everything I do/did this year and this was the first chance I had at it. It taught me that I could do it and I had to speak up this year and stop being the push over I had in years before.
In contrast, the worst leadership role I have dealt with was something of the duties coming with cheerleading captain. I love my squad and my position and I wouldnt trade it for anything don't get me wrong but at one point my coach could not be there for a few practices and some games. This puts a ton of responsibility on all the captains. Nothing was getting done so obviously the captains had to take charge. This is just a lot of pressure on us to do a pep rally or half times at games to make sure they live up to our coaches standards even when she's not there to help us. Its not like one of us can step back and look at our whole routine to make sure its decent because then it messes it up because the person watching isnt in it. I felt like every decision we made as captains someone was unhappy with and its hard when your having to basically coach and discipline girls your same age and girls that are your friends cause you don't want to seem bossy or annoying. But at the same time we needed to get those things done without a coach and we did. It was rough but we pulled it together for the few weeks. I learned though that you have to do what is best for the whole group even if it doesnt make everyone happy. At the end of the day we stick together, we are just much more appreciative and thank God our coach is back now.
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Erin Pioch
1/28/2013 11:52:46 am
The most challenging leadership experience I have faced is when I was on team for a life teen retreat my junior year. I found it challenging because suddenly I was the one on the other side of the retreat. I was leading others, specifically my small group through discussion and prayer. I found it challenging because I was the one leading group discussions. I had to put myself out there and share which was a difficult thing for me to do. I learned through it though that I had been placed in that position for a reason. You can help other people and inspire them by what you say, by how you listen to them and by how you give them a chance to open up and share what's on their heart too. I also learned that everyone has a different way that they lead others, and no way is less valuable then the other.
The worst leadership experience I have faced was when I lead a group of 7th and 8th graders during a weeklong camp. It wasn't a good experience for me because the girl I led the group with acted like she was the only one leading. There wasn't a good balance between us and sometimes I felt like there was no point in me being there. From that experience I have realized that when there are several people leading they have to communicate and be on the same page. Also, that if you find yourself in a situation where you don't feel like your doing much, speak up or seek out a way that you can have an impact.
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jill rosegger
1/28/2013 12:02:49 pm
The most challenging leadership experience i have faced is trying to be a good captain, leader, and role model for the cheerleaders. This is very difficult because it is hard to lead when i am friends with all the girls and don't want to have to tell them what to do or take control when all we went to do is laugh and joke around. I learned that i can be their friend but at the same time, i need to be serious at times and lead so that they can do the same next year. The worst leadership experience i have face was freshman retreat. This was so bad because the children were uninterested and bored and i couldn't get them to be excited about the activities. It was hard for me that they weren't listening to what i asked. I learn sometimes i have to take charge and be positive so that they could be positive and excited as well.
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Andrew leahy
1/28/2013 12:32:44 pm
The most challenging leadership experience I faced was during my freshman year when I hiked at the Philmont Scount Ranch trip with my Boy Scout troop. Our trek leader, a friend of mine, was to lead our group on a three week long trek in the lower Rockies. During the trip, an erie sense of tension built within the group as we adjusted to the lifestyle of the trek. Our trek leader ended up becoming very angry to the point of running off into the woods after fighting with some of the hikers. It was hard for me to watch a friend to fall apart as he did. I immediately stepped forward to lead the group forward (we had a to reach camp before dark) and cooled down the situation. I also ended up being a mediator between many if the hikers. I was challenged by using my leadership skills to step forward and figure out the multiple situations at hand. To me, this was the most challenging leadership experience I had to deal with and the worst I have witnessed. From this, I have grown and matured into a person more keenly aware of the present situations that occur and of how to use my skills to lead others.
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Daniel sahlani
1/29/2013 01:42:39 am
The most challenging leadership I had was leading the soccer team as a senior this year. The under class men thought everything like practice and games were a joke, and it showed when we competed. The most challenging thing was getting them to give 110%. In the end the leadership of the seniors led them to appreciate what they do, to try their best and give it their all. We also showed them that they are an essential part of this time, and they need to act like it. Whether they thought it or not they were all part of the team.
My worst leadership experience is when I was in charge of my youth group at my church, all the kids were interested is social networking and texting. While I tried helping my pastor get to these kids by going on retreats and bible studies, they would always be on their phone and ignoring the teachings. I couldn't get through to them.
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Brandi Claudio
1/29/2013 01:54:51 am
The most challenging leadership role I have faced,is being a role model for my sisters.Though I am not the oldest sibling in my family,I am the oldest girl in my family. My sisters look up to me in many ways and I'm always scared I am going to disappoint them. They look up to me in many ways in life,such as in athletics,academics and in everyday social life. This is a challenging role because as for every other human I do make mistakes.I also don't like to disappoint people and when I do something wrong I feel I am letting my sisters down.From this role,I've learn that they are going to grow and learn from my mistakes,and no matter what they will love me unconditionally. Also,that it is okay to make mistakes.
The most difficult leadership role I've faced is when I used to babysit these five younger girls. It was difficult because they wouldn't listen to anything I'd say. They were rude and very disobedient. They got bored very easily too. They also argued a lot. I did take control but I felt I couldn't yell at them too much because they were not my kids. From this I learned that I need to be more strict and stern.
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Laura Dwyer
1/29/2013 02:20:06 am
The most challenging leadership experience I've ever had has been this past year being a senior on my dance team. Being the only senior who has been on the team for 5 years, I was automatically made the leader of the team for the new members. It was especially challenging because I didn't know many of the new dancers and almost all of them had never been on a competitive team before. It was my job to help them catch up to the rest of the other dancers. It was a challenge particularly because there was not much time before our competition and there was a lot of pressure to lead the team to victory.
The worst leadership experience I've ever had was leading the Cleveland Central Catholic freshmen retreat when they came to ndcl. None of them wanted to cooperate or really even want to be there. I felt like I was being disrespected by them because they kept talking over me and not listening to any thing I had to say. It was hard to be patient with them and to still be an affective leader. I learned that sometimes you have to deal with difficult situations to help others.
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adam kobo
1/29/2013 02:32:20 am
My greatest leadership moment in my life was going down to West Virginia and helped the poor. They are so grateful for the little things and it makes me realize what I really need to cherish every day.
My worst experience during leadership moment was when I have let my family down in various ways. I believe I can rebound myself with this class because its something I want to be. Strong is what I strive for and I can do it. If I say I can everything comes its way successfully
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Carl Blatnik
1/29/2013 02:32:36 am
Freshman year during football I was nervous to make a positive impact as a captain on the team but it worked out good. I let a bible school at my church and no one listened so we couldn't get anything done so it was a negative experience for me.
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Alex Santiago
2/4/2013 01:52:16 am
The most challenging leadership experience I've ever faced was volunteering at a nursing home. The residents there wouldn't listen or I'd have to repeat or they wouldn't do something they had to, like go to lunch and eat, and we'd have to sort of make them go. It was extremely challenging because I needed so much patience for that. It was such an amazing experience in the end because I learned how to work better with others and to have more patience. The worst experience however was when I was in the sixth grade. I was on student council and it was hard for me because I was always such a shy kid growing up. I had trouble talking to other people which I needed todo for this position.
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Lauren Beck
2/4/2013 12:01:54 pm
The worst AND most challenging leadership experience I've had was definitely volleyball season at NDCL this past year. From the start I was thrilled to be a senior leader on the team. Since freshman year I had been a key player on the team but now being a senior that was a whole different title and experience. I was so excited when we started out. But I had to keep an image for the younger girls to follow and be a positive role model for everyone even though I was honestly miserable towards the middle and end of the season. It was challenging because over all I did not enjoy it and it was not what I expected as my senior year of volleyball. It is hard to lead people through something that you do not necessarily enjoy. It is hard to keep up an image and fake positivity when all you feel is negativity throughout what you are doing. Ashley Selers, the other senior on the team, is who kept me sane throughout the whole thing I could not have done it without her.
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Mike Brown
3/13/2013 10:45:04 pm
The most challenging leadership expericence I have been a part of was being coached in wrestling. This was not challenging because it was a hard concept to understand but because the task of wrestling was so hard. 95% of the wrestling team my sophomore year were all first year kids. Watching our coach develope each and every single new wrestler into men who could actually compete was incredible.
The worst leadership experience I have seen is a few teachers that I have had at NDCL. I could tell that these teachers not only did not fully care about us as student, but, did not even completely understand the subject they were teaching. This made it extremely frustrating because getting a bad grade in a class falls on to the students shoulders and I think these teachers did not mind letting that happen