We’ve all heard it: “Apply for that position-it’ll look good on your resume.” Leadership roles on campus have become a kind of currency. Presidents of clubs, heads of events, coordinators of committees- the titles stack up like trophies. But somewhere in the rush to collect badges, a question quietly lingers:
Do these roles actually make us better leaders — or just better at looking the part?
The Illusion of Titles
The truth is, not all leadership roles are created equal. Sometimes, positions are given based on popularity, not contribution. Other times, students spend more energy on designing pitch decks than solving real problems. There’s a pressure to be seen doing something- even if what you’re doing doesn’t really matter.
We’ve created a system where leadership is sometimes more performance than practice.
The Resume Trap
A fancy title might catch attention on LinkedIn- but when real challenges arise, titles don’t help.
What matters is whether you can think clearly, take ownership, and support a team without needing applause.
A quiet student who fixes a broken process or uplifts a struggling peer may never get a certificate for it — but they’ve already started leading.These invisible contributions often teach us more about management than any big college fest ever could.
The Kind of Growth That Doesn’t Need a Title
Some of the best people I’ve met in college never held an official “position.”But they:
A Gentle Challenge to Campus Culture
“If your name is missing from the team list, but your presence made the work better — isn’t that leadership too?”
It’s time we made space for that kind of impact. Let’s value:
Final Thought
Maybe leadership isn’t about being in charge-but about choosing to care. So next time someone tells you, “You should take a leadership role,”- Pause. Ask yourself:
Do I want the title — or the transformation?
Because the resume will fade.
But the way you grow, and help others grow — that’s what sticks.
Do these roles actually make us better leaders — or just better at looking the part?
The Illusion of Titles
The truth is, not all leadership roles are created equal. Sometimes, positions are given based on popularity, not contribution. Other times, students spend more energy on designing pitch decks than solving real problems. There’s a pressure to be seen doing something- even if what you’re doing doesn’t really matter.
We’ve created a system where leadership is sometimes more performance than practice.
The Resume Trap
A fancy title might catch attention on LinkedIn- but when real challenges arise, titles don’t help.
What matters is whether you can think clearly, take ownership, and support a team without needing applause.
A quiet student who fixes a broken process or uplifts a struggling peer may never get a certificate for it — but they’ve already started leading.These invisible contributions often teach us more about management than any big college fest ever could.
The Kind of Growth That Doesn’t Need a Title
Some of the best people I’ve met in college never held an official “position.”But they:
- Stayed back after events to help clean up
- Mentored juniors without being asked
- Took accountability for group projects when no one else would These are the traits that build real confidence — not just credibility.
A Gentle Challenge to Campus Culture
“If your name is missing from the team list, but your presence made the work better — isn’t that leadership too?”
It’s time we made space for that kind of impact. Let’s value:
- The listeners as much as the loud ones
- The thinkers as much as the talkers
- The ones who show up, not just the ones who sign up
Final Thought
Maybe leadership isn’t about being in charge-but about choosing to care. So next time someone tells you, “You should take a leadership role,”- Pause. Ask yourself:
Do I want the title — or the transformation?
Because the resume will fade.
But the way you grow, and help others grow — that’s what sticks.