I’m a pretty quiet person and I wanted to know how you guys managed to attain leadership positions in your clubs, work, communities, etc.
I want to become more involved, but because I am so quiet I feel like no one will offer me a position in the clubs that I attend (red cross and soccer for example). I show consistency and commitment but all I really do for red cross is show up and be there.
Can you guys give me some encouraging tips and feedback on how I can better my chances of becoming a prez, vp, secretary, or anything else?
Sharing your own experiences would be helpful, too.
In other words, how can I demonstrate interest, involvement, and quality in my ec’s if i’m really shy?
You need to overcome your shyness. Join Toastmasters if there is a chapter at your school.
@TomSrOfBoston I get that a lot… And there is no toastmasters, any other specific tips? Thx
Leadership doesn’t always mean holding a high position in an organization either. You can attain leadership qualities by initiating something you believe in.
Because you asked for examples: In my case, I went to a magnet arts high school that was limited in their view of fine arts – they stuck to traditional approaches to traditional media. So to change this, I created contemporary work using experimental and new genre-type materials (i.e instead of drawing/painting, I used soundscapes, body sculptures, and 3/D printed artwork). This led to a massive shift in the way the faculty and students at my school approached art, as they wanted to use experimental methods in their own work after seeing the possibilities. In that sense, I “lead” change within my own community for something that I care about.
I assume you’re a senior too? If so, maybe take a digital approach to helping underclassmen out. I’ve created Facebook groups where I offer advice to students enrolled in my alma mater about things from college app help to portfolio prep to subject area assistance. I’m still working on improving my own shyness and conversation skills, but I love helping others out. So, taking a digital approach where I can type out everything I want to say to help someone else out was perfect. That’s another form of EC that shows leadership – and it’s also free 
Of course though, while doing these things you should keep in mind that the overall goal is to break through your shyness. The methods I listed is just another approach to bettering yourself. Who knows? Maybe a higher up in one of your clubs might see some of the (future) work you’re doing and ask you to contribute. There are many ways connections can be formed.
Hope that helped
Quiet leaders are often the best leaders. To position yourself you should be the person who volunteers to do things, big and small. Learn how things are done. Offer to help with everything. People will soon see you as an asset and you will have more to add to the organization.
I’d much rather have a quiet and thoughtful leader who works hard and knows how things need to done, than a loud extrovert who just wants to schmooze and pawn the real work off on others.
I would encourage you to NOT worry about the title. The best leaders grow through consistent acts of service. Show up and work. In time, you will be recognized. If not by a title, at least by your teachers/peers as someone who works hard. My eldest is very introverted and never had a “leadership title” but many of her teachers commented on her desire to work hard. You might be interested in reading Susan Cain’s book Quiet. It might help you recognize your own strengths even if they are not always appreciated by others!
Thank you! I’m just worried it won’t be mentioned on my application bc I haven’t been given a tangible award/position @BearHouse
@Pokeman1 I understand but I don’t think you need to be anxious. Throw yourself into whatever you are doing because it matters to you. If you aren’t worried about being recognized or rewarded, you might enjoy the volunteer work.
I’ve always been a quiet person, but I’ve also been a very passionate person. If I have an opinion about something or a cause I want to support, my thoughts will be heard one way or another. In relation to getting leadership positions, it basically starts out with me voicing my thoughts to the current officers of the club. On their end, they began to think (probably) that I was someone who cared about the club, so those officers would bounce their ideas off of me and we began to build a relationship, and eventually, they started putting me in positions where I can lead within the club even though I was a regular member (ie. leading volunteer projects). This allowed me to gain visibility with the other members until I eventually had the opportunity to take the positions. Main point is this: if you care about something, get passionate, and let your opinions be heard, especially if the listener is someone who has leadership in the club.
One tip: Read Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.
It’s required reading for some adults in business school, but even a teenager could learn a lot from it about leadership.
No joke - it will help you.
I’ve always been that really quiet kid who never talks unless I have to, but I hold several leadership positions.
Firstly, I am an officer of the creative writing club at my school, and the founder and editor-in-chief of our schools literary magazine. I joined the club as a junior (I’m a rising senior now), attended every meeting, and forced myself to speak up during discussions. Once I made myself and my opinions known, I started to get more out of my comfort zone. In April of my junior year I suggested creating a literary magazine to our advisor, simply by just staying after a meeting one day and telling her about it. She took note of my passion, and about a month later I had everything planned out so I could introduce the idea to the rest of the group. During this meeting we also discussed club ideas for next year, and we also had an officer who was graduating. My advisor simply asked “does anyone want to be officer?” And I was the first one to raise my hand. I was also given Editor-in-Cheif because I founded the literary mag.
Leadership isn’t always about being chosen–I’ve ran for VP in student council and didn’t win because the election was simply a popularity contest, but that didn’t discourage me from finding other ways to be a leader. I’m also a student ambassador–I help the new kids adjust to the school–and I joined that position by going to my counselor and asking if I could join. She asked me a few questions for about 10 minutes, then said I was a good candidate.
Leadership isn’t necessarily about who’s the “strongest” and most “assertive” there are definitely leaders in clubs who act more like bosses than peers, and most of them are in those positions simply to put it on their applications. The BEST leaders are the ones who take initiative and also have tons of passion for whatever they’re doing. You’ll never get positions if you don’t put yourself out there.
I’d say go to your leader in the Red Cross and show them you have initiative. Just ask, “is there anything bigger I can do? Can I lead an event, etc?” This will show them that you’re a go-getter, and that you want a challenge. If you want to take a different route, maybe suggest an event that your local Red Cross has never done before. If you bring the idea to the leaders and they approve, then you could lead that event and from there, work your way up to a leadership.
Best of luck!