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This posting was originally run August 2007. Re-running by request. Enjoy.
OK, so you've had a great summer. Maybe you attended UIFI, or your fraternity/sorority leadership event, or some other summer conference. Your entire perspective on leadership has changed. You have a notebook full of ideas, and you can't wait to whip your group into shape the minute school starts.
Oh, God. They're going to hate you.
Imagine a guy who went to three concerts for the same band this summer. He's become a disciple. He comes back to school, and all he listens to are CDs for that band. He wears the t-shirt every day. All he can talk about is how amazing a time he had at the concert. Over, and over, and over. He thinks anyone with a shred of taste should be "into" this band. He's constantly bugging you to buy the CD, go to a concert, and share his enthusiasm. He's become a headbanger, and he's driving everyone nuts.
Yeah, don't be that guy.
Take some time before school, and think of the best four or five ideas you gained from your leadership experience this summer. Which ones are simple fixes, and which ones will require a lot of sales, nurturing and politicking? Then, enter into the new school quietly, and let the ideas for change emerge gradually. Don't overwhelm everyone.
If you've "seen the light" this summer, your job isn't to shine the light in their face. Your job is to help them find a match so they can build a small fire and find some of the light on their own.
