Leadership & Me

My name is Sarah Allen and I am currently majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University (one more semester before I graudate!). This is my very first blog and I am excited to see where it goes. It will be dedicated to personal growth and exploring my leadership philosophy as I prepare to graduate and enter into the hospitality industry.
I chose the name Nature By Nurture because, as I reflected on what influenced my leadership style, I realized that a lot of my inspiration was about being a support system to help others grow and achieve. Similar to a parent raising their child, a great leader hopes to guide and inspire future leaders and never expect anything in return. As Ralph Ander said, “the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”. Now, I definitely agree that some people are just born natural leaders, but for the rest of us, I also believe that leadership can be a lifestyle and skill that you continue to develop. Eventually some of those leadership qualities and behaviors will become second nature. Hence the name, Nature By Nurture.
I have thought a lot about what my leadership philosophy is, but if I am being honest, I am still not quite sure how to put it into comprehensive words. Hopefully this blog will help me do just that. I do know, however, that the one concept that has really stuck with me throughout my various leadership experiences is to lead by example. I continually practice this whenever I get the chance and it has not failed me yet. This concept pushes me to be the best version of myself.
Someday, I hope to be all of these things. I hope to be humble, to continue to develop and learn, and to listen more than talk. I hope to lead by example and be the type of leader who leads from within, not from above. Mostly I hope to inspire others and participate in creating the leaders of our future.