A huge part of entering adulthood is having the ability to make well, informed decisions by yourself whilst weighing out the outcomes of each choice. Learning to do this takes time, practice, and knowledge, however there are ways to make decision making easier. When a time comes for when a difficult or personal choice needs to be made, there are a few guidelines I follow to ensure I am making the best possible decision. First, put yourself in an environment where you can think constructively and effectively. Second, lay out the situation in its entirety and look at it both from your perspective and the opposing vantage point. Next, it is critical you explore all options possible and come up with alternatives to your decision. Fourth, communicate with those around you to help gain an outsider’s perspective; talking out loud to a 3rd party member can be extremely helpful. The final step is to, with confidence, make the best, most informed solution out of all brainstormed. Going through each of these processes significantly helps me in choosing what is best for me and for those around me. Being a Leadership Consultant requires constant informed decision making since the majority of our job consists of facilitating workshops. You can plan three weeks in advance, have outlines to help present, but each facilitation brings up something different that enforces flexibility, calmness and the ability to make a good decision on the spot. Being an LC helped to teach me how to make well informed decisions on a community based level.

One of the biggest decisions I have had to make for myself thus far in life is where I wanted to go to college. I had to decide on what school could offer me the best education, personal growth, social life and college experience. After knowing I did not want to stay in state in Florida for university, since I spent my entire years growing up there, I knew I had to find a new state to call home. After following my specific guidelines, I decided upon George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia; I could not have made a better decision. Here I learned exponential amounts of information about history, biology, sociology, but more importantly I learned more and found my true self.

In being competent in making well, informed, ethical decisions, it is necessary one must also be able to successfully solve a problem. Problem solving is in the essence what leaders are made to do. Working in the LEAD Office at GMU has helped me gain the ability to tackle issues or conflicts head on and confidently that I can handle the situation properly. One my by biggest takeaways from being a Leadership Consultant is being resilient throughout my experiences and actions to help serve my community to the best of my ability. The best leaders are indeed the best problem solvers.