Today’s role of being a leader taught me a lot. I realized how difficult it could be trying to command twenty or so people who have their own ideas and personalities. It is a challenge to realize when a million different minute details fly at you at a thousand miles an hour. Having to be on top of that, staying composed, and being a servant to the whims of others makes being a leader not a job, but a lifestyle. You can’t go home and call it quits for a day from being a leader, nor can you have a moment to yourself when you have to watch over your followers. I learned that being an ELDD is something designed to mold the potential that lies within all of us. It was an eye-opening experience.

The biggest surprise of today was the first day of teaching the students English. I did not realize how difficult teaching could be when it seems so simple. However, it requires creativity, flexibility, and responsibility. Being a teacher is so amazing, but equally as taxing.

The success of my first English class, a one on one session with an amazing person name Alexander, was helped in part by the other GG leaders. Their ability to keep calm and take control of their class to teach something so amazing is wonderful. The fact that English is a golden ticket in the Dominican Republic made me feel proud when we handed those precious tickets out like it was nothing.

Alexander was a fantastic person from the very moment I met him. He started off so great when he could speak almost perfect English in my eyes. He had such a radiant and inquisitive personality that it left me in shock. His ability to be so flexible and only talk in English was something I thought wouldn’t happen when teaching a new language. With a little luck, he is willing to present a speech to the class on Dominican diseases.

Being El Lider Del Dia is not an easy task. It tricked me into thinking it was an easy day when it was labeled “free” day. I let my guard down, got lazy at moments, and was easily irritated when all of those things should have been in control. When “Esteban” read his list of constructive criticisms, I realized how much I messed up. It left me feeling a bit empty when I thought I could have a free ride with no mistakes. That was such a mistake thinking that, but being the leader with the most racked up mistakes being a leader was a mixed experience of bittersweet love.

Ocean, Esteban, and Rosa informed me that I was not assertive enough which rang true in hindsight. I was too uncertain in remaining in between the boundaries when being too soft with my followers versus being too stern. No leader can be perfect. Nor can anyone really achieve perfection. In Steve’s eyes, discipline is a form of love. I learned that practice makes perfect when being a leader.