2. Describe a fictional or non-fictional character that represents the kind of leadership qualities you value. Explain his or her influence on your experiences as a leader in your community.
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If there's one man that I've grown to admire in my life, it's Microsoft co-founder- Bill Gates. A truly remarkable man, he went from being a borderline autistic child, to the richest man in the world by the time he was 40. It's men like Gates that inspires me into believing that anything is possible with hard work and intelligence.
Bill Gate's isn't your typical CEO/businessman. A mathematics major at Harvard, Bill was often considered more of a nerd than a people person. But it was his leadership abilities and intelligence that helped him jump-start Microsoft, and turn it into the most profitable tech company of all time! Bill was characterized as being a workaholic, putting in 18-hour days on a consistent basis. He led by example, and often pushed his employees to their maximum capabilities. Bill encourages his employees to yell back in meetings, and tell him when he's wrong. Gates is famous for his one liner- "that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life," which is really a compliment meaning that you're leading a conversation in a new direction. So many businesses are filled with "yes-men", people who try to talk their way up the corporate ladder, rather than work their way to the top. Bill hates these types of people. He believes that there are no shortcuts in life, and you must work to your potential to reach the top.
Bill has inspired me to become an entrepreneur, and one-day a leader within a company. I was very fascinated by the fact that Gates started Microsoft at the age of 19, and went on to become a billionaire by the time he was 31. It gave me the motivation to start a web-based marketing company in the summer of 2000. The company was called General Marketing Strategies, and although it never became a powerhouse business like Microsoft, it did layout the foundation for my business future. Similar to Bill, I had very little business education. But I made up for it with hard work and constant research. I gained valuable knowledge running this company, and developed higher self-esteem as well as a deeper interest in learning. I now find myself encouraging people to believe in themselves, to always stay positive, and to set their standards for success above and beyond their capabilities. I'm able to share my knowledge and experience with others, and lead them in the right direction in life. I've learned that life is whatever you make of it, it's up to you to decide your fate.
