I was a team leader during my internship at the Wall Street Trading. The manager selected me to be in charge of all interns. I was tasked with providing direction to the team. Additionally, I organized meetings for all interns in Wall Street. My motivation stems from knowing whatever it takes to be successful. The supervisors, as well as chief executive officers, recognized my leadership abilities. My immediate supervisor requested that I should be given full authority over interns. He convinced the CEO of my suitability as a team leader. I became fully in-charge of interns. The additional responsibilities came with various challenges. I experienced resistance from interns, especially during plan preparation. Some individuals claimed that I was favorably treated. Besides, most interns did not like the changes I made to their schedules.
Dealing with resistance as a team leader is common. Leadership involves a process of making people willing to change and agree with new goals. Leaders should understand reasons for change resistance (Northouse 319). This enabled me to institute appropriate mechanisms for change. I realized that they opposed the changes I made because others thought I had been absorbed. I explained my role with a similar reinforcement from the chief executive officer (CEO). Using resistance to a leader's advantage is essential. The decision to understand and clearly explain my role as a team leader gave me enormous support from other interns.
My work as a leader of interns streamlined various issues in Wall Street. In previous years, interns had problems meeting various heads of departments for orientations. I organized a systematic way of booking appointments with departmental heads. They could be met on distinct days. This has continued to be the norm in Wall Street. I learned that leaders should not take resistance personally. It helps in reinforcing certain valuable leadership skills in people (Northouse 307). Through the plan, Wall Street managed to reduce existing employment gaps. Most interns are absorbed upon completion of their duration.
Deviation from academically acceptable behavior has never been a norm in my life. I believe in the value of education without deviations. This was a reason for my rise in leadership at the Wall Street Trading. My desire for knowledge did not allow me to participate in strikes organized by the student council. This is one of the common aberrations in academics. My responsibilities at Wall Street inculcated in me the ability to convince students out of negative academic behaviors. Additionally, most students often have problems with cheating in their studies. They plagiarize works of other scholars. In my entire education, I have never had a case of plagiarism. I believe academic discipline has been essential in my success.
My quantitative abilities have been excellent. In undergraduate studies, I excelled in statistics and related courses. Moreover, mathematics was my favorite subject in high school. This good record has been essential in my decision-making. My supervisor at Qinhua Tongfang assisted me in developing analytical skills from quantitative abilities. I assisted him in statistical calculations involving the company. Through statistical associations, we arrived at meaningful conclusions (Gallagher 184). This led to an increased passion in developing my quantitative abilities.
Since my last application as an intern, I have tremendously improved. Gaining an advanced degree in business would allow me to develop entrepreneurial skills. This would enhance my decision-making abilities in matters of leadership. I believe a business degree from Fordham University is an ideal improvement. My desire for an upgraded business environment can become a reality with the institution's qualifications. Entrepreneurs aim at building business world driven by creativity. Fordham University offers me a chance to improve the world.
Works Cited
Gallagher, Kevin. Essential Study and Employment Skills for Business and Management Students. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.
Northouse, Peter, G. Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2012. Print
