Reflective Essay Sample on Leadership and Service

Leadership and service are simple things that a lot of people take for granted. I myself would go throughout my day giving no thought to leadership acts or volunteering and service. But when I first volunteered for key club and truly led others for the first time my view on these simple acts completely changed. 

When I first signed up for key club I did it just because I thought it would look good for colleges and maybe make me stand out from other students. But as I volunteered for the first time this year I realized how amazing service actually is, and how I now want to take it to the next step. In October I signed up for my first service event, a 5k breast cancer walk were all I would be doing is holding a sign. At first I didn’t think much of it, but as the participants began walking by it quickly changed my perspective on service. Throughout the next couple of hours I met a bunch of new people, whether it be walkers who came up for a conversations and photos, or those I was volunteering with. Through this volunteering experience I saw how just a simple act can change someones day or life. It made me feel so good knowing that I was helping these people out simply by just standing there and cheering them on. 

Leadership was something I came around to love a little sooner. In my summer from freshman year to sophomore my dad asked me to be a coach for little kids. The kids were very little no more then 8 years of age and I was going to be their coach. At first I was reluctant and really wanted no part, but that quickly changed. At the first practice it did not take long to really hit me that I was their coach, the one trying to teach and lead them to victory every game. I started putting a lot of effort into this team because I wanted to be the best leader I could be for these kids. I had them do basic baseball drills to improve, but I also tried my best to teach them basic life skills, such as teamwork and cooperation. Throughout the summer it made me feel incredible knowing that I was making a long lasting impact on some of these kids by teaching them these simple things, and this baseball team with me as the coach was something some of the kids looked forward to. Leadership is a role anyone can take at any moment, and everyone should be a leader at some point in their life. Because the satisfaction of guiding someone closer to success or their end goal is a feeling you can’t get anywhere else. 

Leadership and service, two simple acts of kindness. Two things that can change lives. Service and leadership to me are now some of the most important things in my life because of my past experiences and those I look forward to in the future. Leadership and service are now some of my core values.