The first step....goal setting

       When I was looking for a fifth period class, I came across leadership development. I had always heard this was a fun class...so why not! And it was a Mr. Fritz class so I knew I would enjoy the teacher! So I put it on my schedule not really knowing what to expect and hoping I would enjoy it.      
       Then I had a leadership conference this summer. It was held here at the high school for the marching band drum major and section leaders. Alan Feirer, from Group Dynamic, gave us our leadership training. I was dreading going to this all day long leadership thing, but boy did I have fun! I learned so much about myself and my fellow band members. I learned that you have to have a big picture painted and work on the little details first. For example, we were trying to figure out how to get everyone in the band to be on time. Well we are only starting with early morning band days. Once they are on time we go from there. We also wrote down all of our personal goals as section leaders. Now that band has started I am really seeing that it is a long process....just like becoming a leader is. You can't just write something down on paper and expect it to happen. It takes a lot of work, effort , and commitment to make make those goals come true by a lot of work on the way.
       Leaving that leadership training I thought I would come out a leader and a better person....but to be completely honest. I am the same person I was the day before that leadership training. This has really put a perspective on the amount of work it takes for goals to be achieved. But I know I can make it happen if I set my mind to it.
       After having this super fun leadership training, I was really looking forward to this class. I knew it would be a lot of learning about me and my classmates, and I enjoy that.
       So where am I at with being a leader in band? I had a list of six goals for myself to achieve/work on throughout the marching band season.

• Leave 10 minutes earlier for band related activities so I am on time.
• Thinking of things that need to be done for the band when all of my things are done.
• Inspire others to make the band better by showing these things in myself...showing others by example.
• Listen to others in the section/band and be patient with them.
• Listen to their ideas and discuss with them to come to a conclusion.
• Not using the word "but" because it leaves the individual remembering the negative.

Well...the first goal has come a long way, and that has been the one i have been focusing on. I have not been late to band once! Now I just hope to keep these other goals in mind and hopefully I will be able to see some progress in them as well. I am sure this list will even tie into concert band and next year....because leadership is one step at a time!

Dianna Elrod