Students share common fear of failure

By Ayanna Watson

The NE Student Leadership Academy tackled fear vs. courage March 30. 

Student activities coordinator Cara Walker reviewed and reflected with students about different tactics for becoming a better leader.

NE students discussed their definitions of fear and their own biggest fears as a leader.

One student defined fear as false evidence appearing real, saying fear is a mind game to make people think they have a limitation. However, people can accomplish more when they push themselves through whatever fear they have.

Many students described their fears as becoming a failure, criticizing a person and admitting to failing.

“Failure is a great teacher,” Walker said. “It hurts sometimes, but it’s a good lesson because you know you don’t want that feeling of hurt again.”

Although students talked about fear, courage was represented as what a true leader is and should be.

Students explained that courage is not being fearless but walking through situations despite fear. They also expressed that one of civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi’s greatest achievements was not only overcoming fear but also instilling courage into people’s lives.

“Fear is still there, but it doesn’t have the power,” Walker said.

Students learned what it was to become a leader, obstacles they may face as a leader, ways to deal with failure as leader and strategies for achieving a leadership role.

“Everything we learned, we are going to experience it in life,” student Bertrand Ndizeye said.