By Andrew Smith/ reporter
Kaylee Jensen/The Collegian
TR students learned how to be Courageous Leaders from BNSF Railway’s human resources and diversity vice president April 29.
“Your spirit and mind are free and open and not tainted about other people’s opinion or what other people think,” Kim Cummings said during the Leadership eXperience Summit. “You care about what you are doing and about making an impact to others.”
Cummings expressed the importance of change within real-world situations and its correspondence to courageous leadership.
“So, what happens next?” she asked. “There are certain things you can consider when creating that plan of attack and take on that leadership role: set the goal, track your goal, fill in the gaps and always grab opportunities.”
Cummings said she hopes students will continue to find their best method to becoming a leader in different circumstances.
“Sometimes, you’re not going to get results, and it’s going to take time to get there,” she said. “If you’re in it for the big reward at the end, then you’re not a courageous leader. A leader is someone who really wants to make a point, bring people along for this common cause and eventually get to the resolution.”
Through the help of TR’s academic success coordinator Desiré Demange, the summit has expanded into three main programs — P3: Power of the Peer, Trinity River Campus All-Stars and Tarrant County College Executive Class. Collectively, their goal is to offer students a chance to find their leadership roles in everyday environments.
TR student Michelle Gonzales has witnessed the evolution of the All-Stars Program since its start in August. She said it shows them their individual leadership styles in all areas of life.
“Everyone has a different type in which they lead others,” she said. “So not only does it help out communicating effectively but also works for parenting, and not to mention universities’ applications who look at significance of leadership experience.”
Following Cummings’ presentation, students broke into group workshops that focused on corporate-level leadership aspects. Adjunct instructor Ray Taylor emphasized the weight of having a self-brand.
“Consider the impact of your brand and the way a person feels and thinks when they see it or hear it,” he said.
Taylor further stressed that individual brands encompass a person’s appearance, communication, charisma and consistency. The seminar challenged students to embrace their individual elements that make them unique.
“If you authentically live your leadership brand and effectively promote your qualities, then you can inspire others to do the same,” he said.
