Leadership is one of the ideal qualities among all occupations. In our everyday lives, we interact with different kinds of leaders, such as professors, store managers, and even elected officials. Some can be hard-working but impolite, while others are revered and respectful to others. Regardless of their attitudes, effective leaders should listen to the ones they lead or serve to be successful.
President Barack Obama made a point in his Farewell Address that it is important for party leaders and activists to step outside of one’s own ideological circle and listen to others. It was during the 2016 presidential election that I witnessed the importance of political candidates being in touch their constituents. Though Hillary Clinton dominated most of the national polls during the campaign season, Donald Trump won the election. It is debatable whether Trump’s victory was representative of the people’s wishes. Trump lost the popular vote to Clinton by approximately three million votes but won the election by 77 electoral votes, and Trump is considered as the victor of the race. Even though Trump’s campaign was bombarded because of his gaffes and offensive remarks, he was known be able to set himself as an agent of change for many working class voters during the campaign.
Similarly, it is beneficial for the University administrators to focus on students’ needs to bring the quality of the institution to a higher level. The administration answered students’ concerns to make an imperative effort to promote diversity on campus over the years, including the establishment of Office of Diversity and its units such as Women’s Center and programs such as Harambee and Moment or Movement. It is essential to ensure every student regardless of their characteristics to feel safe and welcome here.
There are other aspects of student experiences that have the potential for improvement to enhance students’ experiences. As TOPS scholarships were reduced due to our state’s budget deficit, LSU President F. King Alexander was in the capital lobbying the legislators to protect the University from further budget cuts. The University also made sure to inform the students of the reduction and other scholarship options, but students’ concerns remain. For instance, students are paying approximately $3,500 to live on-campus, which is far from economic for many. Nonetheless, the administration is working on college affordability, and I am looking forward to seeing more progress.
Leaders who listen to their followers are successful, and the ones who do not listen remain ineffective. Whether being the President of the United States or a university, it is crucial for them to place the people they serve as a priority for the happiness of everyone.
Kevin Yau is a 21-year-old sociology senior from Prairieville, Louisiana.