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         My edge project helped me further develop some characteristics that I feel are essential for good leadership. First, this edge project helped me develop my ability to take initiative. I was the one who had to organize the project, contact the pre-school and be confident in working with the kids. Leaders are people who on a regular basis take the initiative to do things that need to be done, even if it requires them to go out of their comfort zone.

         The other quality I think this project helped me develop was my communication skills. I’ve had the opportunity to work a lot with adults in a physical therapy clinic and with athletes here at the school but having to communicate physical therapy rehabilitation to pre-school age children is a completely different experience. When I first started volunteering at the pre-school I would just try and explain to the kids what the needed to do in a slow and clear manner. I learned that often I needed to do a lot more to really keep their attention and cooperation. I almost always had to walk through their exercises with them or do them at the same time to make it more of a competitive and fun environment.

        Something new I learned about leadership was the importance of charisma and attitude. People can perceive the attitude of the person leading them. I noticed that the attitude and excitement I showed while volunteering directly translated to the kids being more excited about doing their rehabilitative exercises.