Find Your Voice Through Leadership

Growing up, the one word all my teachers and peers would use to describe me was "quiet." Today, that would be the last word anyone would associate with me. We often view leadership as a trait reserved for the naturally confident, the people who seemed like they were born to command a room. But leadership is not a talent we are born with; it is a skill we build, often reluctantly, one uncomfortable step at a time.

My own path to leadership didn't start at a podium; it started in a classroom where I was terrified to even make a sound. I was once so afraid of putting myself out there that I wouldn't even raise my hand. When a teacher called on me, I would become so anxious that I would genuinely start sweating and shaking. Did you know, research suggests that when we lack engagement and safe, nurturing environments, stress can disrupt our ability to regulate our behavior and emotions. I was stuck in a cycle of fear, unable to realize my potential.

It wasn't until I forced myself to get involved that my anxiety began to lift. It started small, not with a speech, but by simply finding a community. I joined my school's cross country and track teams. While this seemed like a simple extracurricular activity, getting involved in small ways was the first step I needed to take. Not only did I meet new people, make friends, and grow more comfortable speaking to people I did not know, but I also found an outlet for my anxiety. Physical activity is known to decrease stress, fatigue, and depression while increasing agility and coordination. By engaging my body, I was inadvertently beginning to train my mind to handle challenges.

From there, I gradually progressed, getting involved in my school's diversity club. This was a different kind of challenge. It was social. We hear a lot about "social skills," but they are actually crucial for what is known as "executive functioning:" the brain skills that help us plan, focus, and multitask. Hanging out with a new group and working toward a goal helps us learn to negotiate and cooperate. It gave me a place to feel like I belong, which is huge because feeling connected to others helped me find my voice and lower my stress levels. I progressed from physical participation to social engagement, widening my comfort zone inch by inch.

The turning point came when the teacher in charge of the diversity club asked me to be president. I was not sure I was ready; I felt unprepared for the spotlight. However, she reminded me that the only way to grow is to put myself out there. My teacher acted as that essential support system, pushing me toward a potential I couldn't yet see. Reluctantly, I stepped into the role.

Becoming president of a club with over 30 members was uncomfortable at first. My voice still shook in meetings, and I overthought everything I said. But something powerful happened: every time I did it, it got a little easier.

Once I accepted the position, the transformation was rapid. I started leading meetings and speaking in front of 30+ students. I found myself planning field trips, organizing food drives, and hosting discussions about uncomfortable topics.

English Professor Lubna Alnaeem , found that people who took part in more than 5 extracurricular activities while in school reported up to 78 % lower anxiety levels about public speaking compared to their peers. Public speaking experts say that trying to "calm down" when you're nervous often doesn't work. Instead, you can reframe that anxiety as excitement. By focusing on the purpose of the meeting rather than my fear, I found my voice. I was doing what leadership experts call "Modeling the Way" by clarifying my values and finding the confidence to express them

Leading those difficult conversations helped me practice empathy and active listening—listening to understand, not just to reply. It taught me that a good leader doesn't just give orders; they enable others to act by creating a space where everyone feels safe to participate.

Through taking those baby steps, I found my confidence and my leadership power. I learned that you don't wait until you're confident to start leading; you start leading to become confident.

According to the Aspen Institute, less than 16% of people under the age of 25 have access to a meaningful leadership experience. This means that when you have the chance to be a leader, it's important you take advantage of the opportunity while it is there!

As you navigate high school, you might feel like you aren't "leader material" because you get nervous or you're quiet. But leadership is a skill anyone can develop. Whether it's on a sports team, in a club, or just in a group project, there is an opportunity, no matter how big or small, for you to step up.