What made this leadership experience truly transformational was the impact that it had on my whole career outlook, how I interact with people, and what I got enjoyment out of. I was the Chairman of a Student Senate Committee of 10 at my undergraduate college. I had received this appointment after working closely with the Committee for two years. This committee was the largest of ten, overseeing infrastructure, sustainability, public safety, and, specific to the story, transportation. The task we had taken upon ourselves was to improve the campus bus shuttle system, which was chronically plagued by delays due to poor planning of the routes and adding a stop wherever one was requested. The general expectation of the student body was to improve the system. However, what was done on an individual level to improve the system was unexpected. After a series of very constructive formal and informal meetings with different community groups, administration, and the bus drivers as well as reviewing ridership data for specific stops, a plan was drafted and presented for approval. What surprised us was the immense scrupulousness that was received for every decision made. Specifically, one contingent could not be persuaded to abandon their bus stop, even though it had the lowest ridership and increased travel times by 30%. In their opinion, they believed that the needs of the few were being sacrificed for the needs of the many. While I pushed the plan through without their support, it was not over: the Vice President of the Institute stepped in, overriding the entire plan to implement exactly what was requested at the cost of the rest of the system’s components. As I had had a close working relationship with the Vice President, I was taken aback by the usurpation of the plan. In order to salvage the key elements of the original plan, I relented, and a compromise plan was adopted with one of the routes adopting the new stop.

This effort taught me much about politics and the problems that arise when trying to meet everyone’s needs. I learned to not underestimate the determination of people, even at the expense of the whole. As much as it was my job to look out for everyone, it was their job to look out for their own. I still had to learn how to anticipate people’s reactions to unfavorable ideas. Being reactive to people’s opinions was much less enjoyable than being proactive in seeking opinions. Everything from outreach events to soliciting opinions from organizations was enjoyable and felt constructive. While not effortless, it felt constructive in the way that the work we were doing was building towards the goal. The biggest challenge was learning that the things that may seem irrational to me may seem rational or even righteous to others. I had to learn compromise, and I had to be content with being less than perfect with my final products.

In spite of all the drama, the new routes commenced after a semester of planning. Delays had been mitigated. While there was a choke point in the system, the system itself was using a campus-centric approach. We implemented a transfer system so students could get around campus without going to the heart of campus. This experience demonstrated my ability to look holistically at a problem and effectively communicate that holistic vision to people. My presence kept the group moving forward with ideas and development. Were it not for my involvement, the project would not have been attempted; it had been seen as a constant problem that went unaddressed for nearly a decade. I worked very hard to build a consensus before presenting the plan publicly in order to mitigate changes after it was presented.

This experience was significant for the outsized leadership role required for the task. It was over the course of the semester-long project that changed my perspective on leadership. My team and I worked very hard to ensure the plan we presented was perfect and assumed that people would believe us when we said it was so. However, no plan survives first contact. I no longer underestimate potential criticism to ideas, nor do I deign to include all people in discussions and hide behind technicalities. I go forward now with humility, not proposing plans, but guides to base the work around. This keeps the realm of imagination beyond my own mind and incorporates that of others as well.

This experience stood out for its lacking of humility. I continue to innovate and design, but I look forward to insight from others with varied life experiences and joys. Even to look at things holistically is still subjective to someone viewing on the ground. The true holistic view only develops organically, learning at the same pace as everyone else.