Leadership For A New Semester – Putting Plans Into Action

Since everyone’s semester has probably already started, you’re all also probably getting into the swing of your clubs and organizations. If you’re in a leadership role in any of these, be it your sorority or the archery team or anything in between, you’ve most likely spent the summer planning tons of great things for the new semester. Now that it’s here, how do you implement all of these awesome plans?

1. Pump people up about your ideas!

Don’t keep these things a secret! It’s ok to let your chapter or your organization know all of the hard work you & your fellow leaders have put in so that everyone can get the most out of being a member. Don’t complain about all the work you did, but in a positive way, explain that there are plenty of fun things to look forward to this semester, whether it’s an extra special sisterhood event or the creation of a new tradition you think they’ll enjoy, spread the good news! This gets the members excited about these new events and invested in them. They will be more willing to volunteer to help you execute them if they feel that you’re being open and sharing information with them up front.

Can you tell I love SNL yet? But Hans & Franz know how to get people excited!

2. Make a List (or twenty)!

What needs to get done? Just like you (link) make lists in your planner for school, make lists for your organization’s projects.  This way it’ll get done in a timely manner like you envisioned this summer & you won’t wind up pulling an all-nighter to (in the words of Tim Gunn) make it work.

3. Delegate!

Now that you’ve got your members interested in your plans, let them help! I know I’m the worst at this & I’ve had to work really hard to improve over the years. Remember: not everything has to be done your way. It’ll still get done and someone might just have a better way to get it done that you didn’t think of! So use that list of everything that needs to be accomplished, and give someone else part of it!

4. Be Flexible!

Ever heard of Murphy’s Law?  Murphy said that anything that can go wrong will. And I’m sad to be the one to tell you: he’s right. So what is a classy co-ed who’s worked so hard to plan the perfect event to do? Well, sometimes you’ve just got to let things go.  Not everything is going to go your way. This doesn’t mean that your event is going to go haywire, but it does mean that not every detail will happen to the letter as you planned it. So the bus doesn’t leave at 8pm on the dot, so what? A classy co-ed knows the difference between when to laugh off a few things gone awry and when it’s time to go to plan B (or K, whatever’s necessary).

5. Have Fun!

Most importantly, enjoy your time this semester. You should’ve planned well enough in advance for your awesome event that you have time to sit back and enjoy it when it actually does get here. If not everything goes exactly as planned, relax, your sisters or friends will still have an awesome time and will still absolutely love you. So sit back and take it all in since you’ve created something awesome!

6. Take Mental Notes

While you are having all that crazy fun, be sure to take a few notes in the back of your mind. This way you’ll know how to improve for next time! College is all about learning, so take the opportunity to learn from everything you do, including planning events for your sorority or organization. Practice makes perfect!

Do you have any suggestions for being a great leader this semester? Share them below! We’d love to hear your tips!

Kathryn Moore is a College Lifestyles intern from Georgia Tech majoring in Public Policy. You can currently find her cheering on the Yellow Jackets’ Football Team every Saturday this Fall in between all the fun leadership seminars she loves attending on campus!