Reflection on Leadership
This reflection highlights how leadership experiences have fostered my growth, resilience, and ability to inspire others throughout my journey.
Competency reflections
Empathy:
Through this program, I’ve learned that empathy is more than just understanding another person’s perspective, it’s about actively showing that you value their experience. The Inclusive Leadership Lab especially pushed me to practice empathy by recognizing my own biases and learning how to create space for others. In my role as Vice President of Illini Autonomous Vehicles, I’ve applied this by making sure quieter team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, which often leads to innovative solutions. Empathy has helped me build stronger connections, foster trust, and create a culture where people feel motivated to contribute their best.
Self-Reflection:
The program emphasized the importance of carving out time to reflect on both successes and setbacks. Before, I often rushed from one task to another without pausing to evaluate my growth. Through the PDP and leadership courses, I built the habit of stepping back, identifying patterns, and asking what I could do differently. This practice has improved my self-awareness and decision-making. For example, after leading a challenging cross-team meeting, I reflected on what worked and what didn’t, and used those insights to improve future discussions. Reflection has given me a clearer lens for personal and professional growth.
Cultural Competency:
I grew significantly in cultural competency by engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds and pushing myself to listen and learn. The Networking and Personal Brand Development Lab gave me a chance to connect with alumni whose paths looked very different from my own, broadening my perspective. Additionally, preparing for my internship abroad in Argentina encouraged me to think critically about how to adapt in new cultural contexts. Developing cultural competency has helped me approach interactions with curiosity rather than assumption, which I believe is crucial for building inclusive teams and fostering innovation in diverse environments.
Communication:
This program helped me realize that communication is not just about clarity but also about intentionality. In group settings, I practiced balancing technical explanations with accessible language so that all members, regardless of background, could contribute meaningfully. In networking events, I learned how to present myself with confidence while staying authentic. The labs gave me a safe space to experiment with these skills, while IAV provided real-world opportunities to apply them. As a result, I’ve become a stronger facilitator, better able to bridge gaps between subteams and align everyone toward a shared vision.
Application of iPrograms:
The iPrograms taught me that leadership development is an ongoing process rather than a single achievement. From Inclusive Leadership, I learned how to recognize and leverage diversity as a strength, while Networking and Personal Brand Development showed me the value of authentic storytelling and intentional relationship-building. These lessons will directly shape how I approach my future endeavors.
In internships and future roles, I plan to apply these insights by actively creating environments where all voices are heard and valued. Whether leading a technical team or collaborating across departments, I will use empathy and cultural competency to build stronger relationships and encourage innovation. I also plan to continue practicing reflection by regularly evaluating my leadership decisions and adjusting as I grow. Finally, communication will remain a central focus, as I’ve seen firsthand how clear, inclusive dialogue can determine whether a team succeeds or struggles.
Looking ahead, I see the iPrograms as the foundation for how I want to lead in my career: with integrity, openness, and a commitment to empowering others. These experiences have given me the confidence to step into leadership roles knowing that growth comes not from perfection, but from consistent practice and learning.
final reflection
Overall, the Leadership Certificate Program has been a transformative experience that brought together coursework, labs, and team leadership in a meaningful way. One of the biggest successes was learning how to translate abstract leadership principles into practical actions, such as encouraging quieter teammates to share or adapting my communication style in cross-disciplinary projects. A challenge I faced was balancing the demands of technical projects with the interpersonal side of leadership. At times, it was tempting to focus only on engineering details, but I overcame this by reminding myself that progress depends on people, not just technology. What surprised me most was how much leadership depends on humility, being willing to listen, adapt, and admit when others have better ideas.
Through this program, I have grown as a leader by developing stronger self-awareness and a clearer sense of purpose. I no longer see leadership as just directing a team; I see it as building an environment where people feel supported to succeed. This has made me more intentional about how I interact with others, and more confident in my ability to step into new leadership roles in both academic and professional contexts.
My definition of leadership has evolved over the course of this program. Initially, I described it in terms of responsibility and keeping people focused on a common goal. While that still holds true, I now see leadership as more dynamic: it is about empathy, adaptability, and the ability to inspire. Leadership is not static; it changes with the context and the people you are working with. This shift came from reflecting on my labs, my PDP, and my experience with IAV, all of which showed me that effective leadership requires flexibility and continuous growth.
If I had to choose one item that represents my Leadership Certificate experience, it would be a compass. A compass doesn’t walk the path for you, but it gives you direction and helps you recalibrate when you get off track. Similarly, this program didn’t provide me with a single formula for leadership, but it gave me guiding values and tools to navigate challenges. Just as a compass adapts to wherever you are, I now have the ability to adapt my leadership style to new environments, cultures, and teams. This symbol captures the essence of my growth: I am not finished learning, but I am confident in my ability to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
Illinois Leadership Certificate ePortfolio 