Leadership Development
Leadership Development
Expand your leadership capacity with opportunities throughout your time at GW.
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
We believe in the holistic development of students, that growing as a leader is a lifelong process, and that everyone has the ability to be a leader. In our work, we blend a variety of leadership theories to emphasize the interdisciplinarity of leadership. Through this framework and our leadership programs, we strive to develop skills in the following areas.
- Self-Awareness
Understanding one’s identity requires the exploration of values, strengths, and motivations. This improves a leader’s ability to develop new skills, creatively solve problems, receive feedback, and reflect on experiences.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, Accessibility, & Justice
Leaders should be able to articulate concepts of power, privilege, oppression, and equity. This must include the learning of, advocacy for, and integration of inclusive practices.
- Interpersonal Development
Relationship building is at the center of leadership. It is vital that a leader can effectively listen, find common ground and shared understanding, communicate, and invest in others’ development.
- Organizational Management
Leaders must have the ability to oversee task completion, facilitate activities, collaborate, maintain records, resolve conflict, create and accomplish goals, provide constructive feedback, and meet deadlines.
- Social Responsibility
An investment in and commitment to one’s community is central to leadership at GW. This goal expects that leaders participate in service opportunities, empathize with others, build meaningful connections.
Leadership is a purposeful, ethical, and inclusive process of individuals working together to accomplish shared goals and enact positive change.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Excellence in Leadership Sessions (ELS)
With a wide variety of workshop topics to choose from, ELS is a great opportunity for any individual to further their leadership abilities and knowledge. ELS also serves as the primary tool for student organization officer training.
LEAD GW
Leadership Exploration & Development at GW (LEAD GW) is an extended orientation program for incoming, first-year undergrad students. Participants learn about leadership at GW, connect with peers, and explore their personal leadership capacities. Upper-class students can join LEAD as a Peer Guide.