Leading From Sisterhood: Considering Change Through a Lens of Impact as a Newly Elected Sorority Leader

So you just got elected to be a sorority officer? Congratulations! 

Let me guess: you were drawn to this position to make a difference, leave a legacy, be impactful in your sisterhood in an area where you see opportunities for growth? We NEED leaders like you to rise to the occasion every year! But before you dive headfirst into planning your term ahead, have you considered how you’ll integrate sisterhood in your leadership?

If the goal of sorority is sisterhood, then our leadership should amplify that the loudest. Let’s talk about a few sisters to consider as you dream about your term ahead!

1. Your outgoing exec and specifically the sister leaving the position you’re entering: In your pursuit of “better,” don’t look at this past year as “bad.” Discounting a whole year of effort & accomplishment does not motivate those who are leaving their roles or your members who contributed. Consider how it would feel a year from now to hear the sister who gets elected into your position tell the chapter everything she will do BETTER than you… as if your efforts aren’t enough… as if it was all for nothing… As you dream of making the position your own, be careful to not do it at the expense of the sister who gave it her all this past year. With each announcement you make to the chapter about what things will look like moving forward, ask yourself, “Is my priority being right / doing things right OR making sisters feel seen & celebrated? "

2. The chapter at large: As a member this past year, what did you personally notice as areas that could use improvement in the member experience? Do members feel connected to sisterhood? Do they agree with the expectations put on them? Do they understand the goals they are working toward or see how their attendance correlates to participation in those goals? Some seasons of sorority require change. Others desperately need consistency - sustaining what worked before. Notice what your members need and focus on making small, intentional changes that support that. Notice what members respond well to and keep doing that! Try to understand the changes that were made by this past exec and continue to work within their framework to see their intended outcomes come to fruition - most change requires multiple years to see it's effectiveness. So ask yourself "What is the chapter asking of me?" Consistent with all things in our lives, there are seasons that require intentional and thoughtful change. While I encourage you to redirect the chapter in the areas it’s asking for, be careful not to do it for the sake of doing something in your role.

3. Yourself: As you jump into sorority leadership, it is easy to absorb expectations that you perceive but no one has placed on you. Leading out of pressure to perform will lead you to make the best decisions for your reputation, not for the chapter. Try to make yourself aware of any subconscious standards you are living up to that are defining the kind of leader you think you have to be. Ask yourself instead, "what kind of leader does my chapter need?"

Know that as you lead, your sisters have your back. The other leaders on your team, your advisors, your friends in the chapter are rooting for you. You are allowed to ask for help, make mistakes, overcorrect, and try again. As you learn to lead, relief yourself of the pressure to "make everyone happy." After educating yourself as much as possible about how your chapter feels and what they need, give yourself permission to make the best decision you have the information to make. Give yourself grace those that are more challenging that others. Know that as you go into your term, you are not alone.