So Say We All
dgo@theguidon.com

In a student organization, some student leaders believe they have authority over organization members. I say, you are all equal.

The difference between student organizations and real world organizations is the adherence to the line of authority. In real world organizations, a boss is a boss, he has the power to terminate, reward and reprimand members. In a student organization, there is no clear line of authority. Even if there is an organization president, members, officers, in the end, they are all students.

Titles, positions, these don’t really matter – no student has control over another. Respect is the driving force in a student organization’s leadership, and respect is the factor stopping students from disregarding each other.

When situations go sour, and when respect is lost, nothing prevents members from ditching assigned duties in an organization, and ditching the organization itself. Deciding whether to stay and compromise with other members, or leaving the organization is depends solely on the member’s discretion. Penalties, reprimands, rewards or termination hold no bearing for the member. There is no threat, no job on the line, no pay, not even reputation.

There are two types of leaders in a student organization who approach a low respect situation through different styles. The first one wields words, the other penalties.

The leader who wields words guide the troubled members by helping them realize the importance of what they do. He understands the members’ situations, and offer advice on what to do in order to accomplish what they were tasked to do.

The leader who wields penalties throws out rewards and reprimands to force members to do their work.

Leaders who use penalties are able to make their members work for as long as there are penalties. When the leader stops the reprimands or rewards, there will be no more reason for the members to follow him, there is no threat or incentive. Leaders who use words are able to instill change from within members, they do their work because they understand it’s importance.

Members are more likely to respond to leaders who use words rather than penalties because those who use words treat members as equals. Leaders who wield words identify that members decide for themselves, and that they know what’s good for them. Penalty wielding leaders are the opposite of word leaders. They impose their will over members, often treating them as slaves, rather than equals. These leaders are extremely unpopular among members because he portrays himself as having control and power over members. Recognition must be made that members in student organizations joined out of volunteerism.

They did not join to gain incentive, or reward, but out of their own accord. Leaders, members, assistant vice presidents, project heads – all are equal.