Ryan Kwapniowski's FLP Portfolio
Review
Through the Creighton Freshman Leadership program, I grew exponentially as a person and a leader. It has shaped and changed my life in ways unimaginable due to the fabulous opportunities given, even after freshman year. The things you learn and the comprehension you acquire stays with you forever, especially throughout your time at Creighton University, and my experience was no different.
Immediately at the beginning of my freshman year, I knew I wanted to continue on in the program and search for leadership opportunities in the program that gave so much to me. It was such an amazing gift and blessing to be able to help guide and mentor these 60 new freshmen through the program that taught me so much.
During my sophomore year, I focused much more on the Jesuit values presented by Creighton University and focused on how they applied to me as a non-Catholic Christian leader and student. Father Timothy Lannon talked deeply about how everything he achieves somehow relates to his personal bigger mission, therefore, when one takes a step back and looks at the bigger picture you can see the complete and whole person that exemplifies everything desired. We all have to have missions, or values to align ourselves with. This will help us make wiser decisions and ultimately better yourself as a leader.
One leadership style that I felt I expressed most as a mentor this year would be a mix between Servant leadership, Ethical leadership, and Followership. I like to think that I focused on the growth and well-being of each and every individual, but I think I definitely worked hard at listening to problems, giving empathy, then working hard to come up with a solution. Once again, I really focused on my personal values this year and how they aligned with the Jesuit values presented to us. By taking this time, I learned a lot about leadership and how by knowing your values and having the courage to live them out. You must know yourself and thus be able to express yourself through this core values by living your life in service to the common good. Finally, I felt as though I practiced Followership as well. I strive to keep everyone on the same level and remove all ranks from my life. In the end, I know that no life is more superior than any other, even as a leader. You can effectively lead without having position. I quickly learned this year that you can lead without a title. People value your actions and abilities and ultimately everyone works together to complete a common goal.
