October 12; Take Over Work From Your Manager
MANAGEMENT BY THE BOOK:
365 Daily Bible Verse &
One-Minute Management Lessons For The Busy Faithful

This article is just what I needed in terms of realizing how important it is to volunteer. It has always been a challenge for me to speak up and take initiative for myself whether that be in class or outside. I think in most cases, those who are hesitant to volunteer are concerned with sounding dumb or just speaking in front of others in general, but in reality they are not listening as intently as imagined and the person (the teacher in this case) is the only one that matters. Volunteering can never be wrong and only good can come from it, it shows passion, motivation, and initiative to create a profile for oneself to help build upon. I liked the quote about seeing how students acting in school, that is where leaders are formed if they take it upon themselves to go out of the way to volunteer and speak up. School has been like training in terms of volunteering because after graduation when a real job lies ahead, speaking up and becoming noticed for effort and skill will be the reason for thriving.

This article makes a short yet to the point argument of why you should always volunteer, because it makes you stand out. In a world with so many people trying to do similar things, you have to stand out and show why you are the best. The point that stuck out to me most was when the author, also a professor, said how the class may not remember who went first but he will. This supports the idea the first impressions do matter, and being the first person to volunteer sets yourself apart from others in not just a classroom setting but in a business setting also. He also makes a great point of how volunteers are natural leaders. People who volunteer themselves to go first show that they are not afraid, and they are willing to be a leader rather than a follower. All those who wait and do not volunteer are followers, instead of being the one to set the standard they follow the standard someone else set.

Volunteering in all aspects of my life is something that I hold with high importance. Volunteering in the community is important to me because I think it is very important to give back to communities that have given so much to me and shaped who I am today. In the classroom, I try to volunteer as much as possible as well. It is so easy in classes to sit behind a computer the entire time and take nothing from the class. While getting an A in class is important I believe it is more important to listen and take life lessons from class and apply to them to your own life. This is easy to do when you are engaged and volunteer often. I disagree with the Army Truism idea to never volunteer because I feel like this is not the type of experienced leaders I want to associate with. I want to be the leader that is on the front-line volunteering and making mistakes because it makes others more willing to volunteer and mess up. Also, making mistakes is part of life and I would rather be the person volunteering and making mistakes so I can learn from them rather then being afraid to make a mistake.

This article was well written and very insightful. I really enjoyed the perspective of this article and the connections I was able to make from reading the article. I am often one to volunteer when it comes to going first, taking on a project, or helping out with things. I like to volunteer because I feel like I am bing helpful and assert a certain confidence that is looked at positively from the person asking for the volunteer. In my experience it is best to volunteer yourself in any setting because of the confidence it coveys. Althought it can be a risk and sometimes scary it shows leadership qualities. Volunteering to do extra work, be a leader, or even just speak first says that you make care to be involved, respect the person asking, and about what is going on. I have seen reat results from volunteering and I think it has given me advantages and helped me to build strong connections. As I have said, volunteering shows confidence, but it also pushes a person internally to sometimes go beyond the box and step outside the boundries they create for themselves. Overall, I think the positives out weigh the negatives in the topic of volunteering.

I thought that this was a very good article. I will be a senior in the fall at Catholic U. I have taken my fair share of Professor Yoest led classes. Each one offers a new perspective on the real world, but all of the classes manage to overlap when it comes to certain topics. One of the overlapping topics is definitely the aspect of volunteering. When I took my first Yoest class first semester of my freshman year I was always one of the last people to present. As the years have gone on I have learned to volunteer first. There are multiple reasons for this. The first is that everyone has to present majority of the time. So presenting first allows for me to get it over and done with. Also, there is a known saying when it comes to presentations. Most of the time the audience you are presenting to will remember the first and the last presentations. When you volunteer to do something that maybe other people are hesitant to do, it gives them the confidence to volunteer as well.

I really enjoyed reading this article. Volunteering can show a lot about someone’s character, and just like Dr. Henry Mintzberg, I believe it can spot a true leader. My characteristics of a leader would be someone who has confidence, creativity, and commitment. When volunteering for something, these characteristics are very necessary, and can be seen in the example of sharing about yourself on the first day of class. On the first day, you may see many unfamiliar faces that you may not feel comfortable with, and for this reason it may shy you away from volunteering to present, but if you do volunteer, others will see that you have confidence and leader characteristics, earning the classes and most importantly the teacher’s respect. Volunteering I would say is not an easy thing to do, but once you do volunteer and do realize it’s not bad, and can actual be rewarding, other’s will look to you as a leader. People who volunteer show tremendous commitment, and in the teacher’s eyes, this is one of the things you are most looking for in your student, such as when you said “He will get an ‘A’ in the class and he doesn’t know it yet.”

I have grown up going to private Catholic schools, and so volunteering has always been an integral aspect of my education. In grade school, students were required to complete 50 service hours as a graduation requirement, and in high school the obligation doubled to 100 hours. Unfortunately, I think that by making service obligatory, many students, including myself, began to see volunteering as more of a hassle than an opportunity. In college, however, my experience has been completely different. I have come to understand that being a volunteer involves more than a devotion of time; it is a devotion of self. Volunteering means standing up and making an effort to reach out to those around you and to try and make a difference, regardless of how much is expected of you. I agree that volunteering is a key feature of a leader because leaders know when to take action and how to inspire. Leaders who are volunteers are not daunted by tasks or people that are unfamiliar because they are able to embrace new challenges and change. Volunteering requires that an individual look outside of themselves and take in the bigger picture. Volunteers are not interested in the short-term, but in the long-term benefits of their actions, and success in the long-term is far more important than any discomfort in the present

I believe that the ancient Army truism of “Never volunteer” is in no way a bad way to live one’s life. If you do not have any aspirations for advancement or any desire to take on more responsibility, then the mantra of “keep low and keep quiet” is a perfect way to conduct yourself. But, if you have aspirations to be a leader, advance in your career, or better yourself in general then volunteering and going the extra mile is the only way to do so. At my internship, there is a very clear distinction between the interns who volunteer to do extra work and those who keep their head down and only do what they are assigned. Those of us who have volunteered to take on extra projects, filled in for full time employees who have quit, and made the time to help managers update processes are rewarded in one way or another. Whether that be a raise for the next summer, an award at the end of the month, or choice of assignment; the upper management of Hendrick Automotive group make sure to recognize interns who go the extra mile. I have even noticed the differences in how professors have treated me in classes where I volunteer to answer questions and the classes where I choose to be quieter and more reserved. The classes where I participate more tend to be the classes where I have a better relationship with the professor, understand the material more, and get the better grades. While the classes where I choose to sit in the back with friends and not participate are the same classes I usually struggle in.

What struck me most about this article, especially when I reflect on my internship, is the reasoning for never volunteering: “you won’t get paid more.” However, that simply is not true. Most managers, whether they are CEO’s or simply shift managers at a restaurant, did not get their job by laying back and only ever doing what they were told. The best managers, and subsequently the ones who get paid the most, are the ones who are never satisfied and are constantly standing up and “volunteering” to make decisions and try new things for their company. No million-dollar company was made by a room full of people who were too afraid to stand up and make a decision. The best companies are made of exactly those kinds of people who do volunteer. Unless your boss is extremely selfish, every boss wants to see initiative from their employees and will often reward it. Whether this comes in the form of a bonus or even a promotion, the people with initiative are always rewarded, even if that reward is not immediate. My boss at my internship commented to me saying “You wouldn’t stay doing this lower level accounting work long.” When I asked what she meant, she said that I asked too many good questions to simply be doing the grunt work the rest of my life. This is not me just bragging, but it shows an example of how asking questions, seeking to go above and beyond what is asked, and other such “volunteering” activities in business are often rewarded and are always noticed in a positive light.

I was always told when growing up to volunteer for everything. I remember you mentioning this army statement in your class, about “never volunteer” and I was generally confused as to why they would abide by that. Being the first to acknowledge a problem and wanting to fix it is what gets your name out there. It lets whoever it is know that you are the man or women who is always there and can always get the job done. One shouldn’t be looking for an immediate promotion of some sorts, they should be volunteering because they believe in the cause or business plan and want to help the effort. If you are always there to help and get the job done, down the line when a spot opens up you will be the first to mind because you always put yourself out there.

Volunteering is a simple task that requires the ability to get stuff done. I agree with the article that people who participate in sports, school clubs and volunteer in the community are more active later in life. I believe this is because of two reasons. The first is by being involved and knowing people outside of class you get to know them as people not just some random person. When it comes time to speak in front of a large group of people, you will feel more secure because you know a lot of the people from outside of class and have had time to foster a positive relationship with them. A reason why it is so hard to introduce yourself on the first day of school is because many times you do not know the people in your class or if you do know them it has been a long time since you interacted with them. This will make people feel uneasy and not want to speak because they feel they do not know anyone. As the semester goes on people typically begin to talk more as they get to know people. The second reason is after years of being the first one to speak up or volunteer in your school, you have developed the confidence and practiced it so many times that people don’t think twice. It’s like riding a bike, at first you don’t feel confident or comfortable, but after practice you develop the skills to ride a bike no problem.

This passage contains some of the best advice that a young business student can receive. Volunteering is what will get you noticed in the work place and in the classroom. As the old cliché goes the squeaking wheel will always get the oil, that is why it is important to get yourself noticed by your boss and by your teachers. It may be intimidating to be the first one to speak up, but volunteering can show your superiors that you are truly capable of greatness. In this article you mention, “the First Mover Advantage.” Although it might seem like the other students in the class are not paying attention to their initial comments, the entire room is surely recognizing the first mover’s bravery. It is important to be the first one to raise a hand and volunteer because it takes a lot of stress off the students who will soon follow. When I had my first professional job working as an office assistant my first boss constantly told me that she was very impressed by my willingness to find new projects and offer help. There is always something to do in an office, and what I have found from person experience is that the intern who volunteers and actively seeks more work will be the one who receives the best reviews from their bosses. This is a very accurate article, I couldn’t agree more with the message.

I believe that volunteering is important because it encourages leadership and selflessness. The military saying asserts that one should never volunteer because it will lead to more work and no promotion or benefits, however this saying is incorrect because volunteering builds character and leadership skills. I agree with the author, Professor Yoest, because I have personally benefited from volunteer work rebuilding homes in New Orleans after the effects of Hurricane Katrina and I know that volunteering can be difficult at times, but the payoff is amazing. The skills an individual develops from volunteering are invaluable and used throughout one’s life.
I agree completely with the quote from Henry Mitzberg cited in the article about being active because the more an individual is involved in school or in his or her community, the more skills he or she will develop. Skills are crucial for success in the workplace and life in general. As business students, it is important to be active volunteers in our communities and at University in order to get us into the good habit of being a leader so that we can later play an active role in our careers and seize all opportunities that come our way.

Sometimes volunteering is hard, it can be intimidating and scary. But what I have learned is, it is better to volunteer first than to sit there until you have gained the courage to say something or do something. In my experiences, it has shown that volunteering and stepping up before anyone else has always resulted in something good. Whether you are at work or in the classroom it shows that you are willing to speak your mind and are ready to be a leader. As an intern or student, this is important, it exemplifies to your boss/teacher that you are someone ready to get the job done, and aren’t afraid to share your ideas even if they may not be perfect. Another positive about volunteering is it usually helps you stick in someone’s mind. For example, on the first day of class, when you are the first person to volunteer, your teacher will probably remember your name. This may not seem like a big deal but it helps you get off on the right foot for the rest of the semester. For an internship, it may help you get ahead, your boss may be more inclined to give you projects or work because, on the first day, you volunteered to do something and showed you were ready to get the job done and learn. In the workforce, you should always offer to volunteer, especially if none of your coworkers are willing to. It shows your dedication, and though you may not think anyone is noticing, they probably are. Volunteering, though it may not seem extremely important will help you be successful in the long run. It shows you have the courage to put your best foot forward, and do what others are not willing and that is a great quality to have in a student, intern or employee.

Volunteering is something that I think is very important. Whether it be at school, work or in your community, I think that everyone should volunteer in one way or another. This article and the story told is a perfect example of how good things can come from volunteering. You may not always gain something from volunteering but it does not go unnoticed. If you are volunteering at your local food pantry the people there truly appreciate your help. I believe that it is our job to help people that are in need of help. Volunteering at school and work can also have its benefits. At school and work it shows your boss and teachers that you are willing to go above and beyond what is required. It also shows them that you are willing to do what other people do not want to. This will allow you to stick out and be remember. Going first or doing something that no one else wants to do sets the tone for everyone around you as well. Even though your actions may be small, they effect more people then you think. This article really helped me realize the importance of volunteering, even though you might not want to do it.

If we think of a world where if no one had ever volunteered, then we would not have much of really anything today. With volunteering comes an entrepreneurial mind set and sets a tone and get things done. There always needs someone to be first and to step and take on a challenge. Life is full of challenges and you might not always get something out of it but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t. Our history is full of those who put in that extra work and time that leaves their name in history for those to look up to and hopefully follow their big steps in life. We are all busy with our lives, school, and jobs but that doesn’t mean we only have to volunteer in those sectors, there is many more things to get involved in to make a difference in your life and others. Then there is charity, Something at we do to help others that are in much worse situations than ourselves. The amount of programs and charities that are always in need of anything people can provide, weather it be money or labor. With all these opportunities in the wide definition of volunteering, it mostly sums up to, as the this article mentioned is to be the first one to step out of the comfort zone and set an example that others may follow. This was a great article to highlight this important concept that seems to not be followed by enough people.

By being in Professor Yoest’s class almost every year I have been at Catholic University, I have become very familiar with this methodology. The first person who volunteers is always recognized, especially by Professor Yoest. Professor Yoest is always extra eager to hear what the first person has to say and this gives a sense of encouragement to the students. The most interesting aspect of how Professor Yoest goes about this, is that he patiently waits for someone to volunteer first, or ask a question and will not move on until someone does so. Being the first person to volunteer is never easy. It is something that takes a lot of courage and a little practice to be comfortable with. In the end, it’s worth it because it will boost your confidence and next time, it will feel like second nature to go first. What intrigues me the most about this article is the first advantage that is written: “No one pays attention to the First Person.” I agree with this because as Professor Yoest mentioned, everyone else is nervous and is only paying attention to what they will ultimately end up saying. With this being said, the person who is asking for a volunteer, whether it be your manager or your professor, is still paying attention and is completely acknowledging that you took the first stance and that will be remembered.

When reflecting on this article, especially in relation to my internship, the quote “you won’t get paid more” caught my attention. My internship, along with many others, is unpaid; yet, we do these unpaid internships for a reason, they are rewarding. Rewarding in the way that it leads to a future job or networking opportunities. In order to further your career, no matter what your career may be, you have to put yourself out there. Just like the example of voluntarily speaking first in the classroom shows the reward of the student getting an A in the class, you have to be willing to go above and beyond in order to stand out and in turn, be successful. Being a student athlete at the college level has also given me that extra level of involvement and leadership like the article says in the quote from Jonathan Gosling, “participating in sports, school clubs and volunteering in the community are all strongly correlated with activism in later life.” Volunteering develops leadership, hard work, and induces mental and physical growth. This promotes leadership and success later in life. The main point of the article is “volunteers are natural leaders. Always volunteer,” after all. The example in the scripture, Isaiah 6:8, “Here am I. Send me.” is an example of a servant of the Lord, Isaiah, volunteering to do the service of the Lord in whatever way possible.

I personally felt that this article addressed a lot of the issues that are attributed to when people are fearful of being the first to volunteer for things. It brought to light how the people in the classroom or seminar may not remember who that first person to volunteer was, however the boss or teacher will, which is ultimately the most important person to notice you. I have however been there in a class on the first day when the teacher asks for introductions and there is just dead silence, it’s awkward, however, my parents have also always encouraged me to be the one to volunteer.

I thought this article brought out an important note that even though you may be the first one to volunteer after the awkward silence, it is still even better to volunteer before this silence occurs, first impressions do matter. However, I think interrupting in these volunteer moments to create “teachable moments” may be intimidating and possibly discourage students from volunteering in the future.

I think in the world of business it is especially important to “always volunteer” and that this is a good motto to live by. However, I think to always volunteer with good reason is also an important notion to live by. I think that if you have no idea what the answer is at all it is better to sit in silence, than to embarrass yourself by trying to answer a question that you do not know the answer to in the least bit.

Volunteering can be something that is such a small and minute action but, as said in the article, can be a great way to tell how active someone will be in their community once they get older. To volunteer means to contemplate it first, build the courage to act, and then take action. Be the first to take action and not just speak because you are next in line. This is a good way of promoting confidence in students to speak up when they otherwise would have chosen not to. Many times, going through the motions of school can become very repetitive and boring, you go to class, listen to a teacher preach a certain subject, get up, go to the next class and so on and so forth. Over time this can become a habit of just sitting and pretending to listen. Students, every now and then, need to be forced back into being engaged with the class, teacher, and material so that they aren’t just going through the motions. Breaking that cycle of bad habits can pull the student back into being a productive student instead of a passive student.

This article was a great read and had many true points to it. Volunteering in class is something that I have always been hesitant to do. Putting myself out there is an aspect that I have tried to work on ever since I began my college career. I have definitely gotten better in that field and I have seen the benefits. Especially in the job searching time of college, volunteering and challenging yourself needs to happen in order to get the job that you want. Since there are so many different forms of volunteering, it serves a wide variety of purposes. Staying silent or never volunteering may keep one in their comfort zone and enable them a cheap sense of accomplishment since they aren’t getting reprimanded. However, risk is a necessary part of a fulfilling and successful life. The part of the article that resonated with me the most came at the end. The first part when it states “No one is paying any attention to the First Person. The rest of the class is rehearsing their lines that they now know they will have to give.” It reminded me of a time when I volunteered to go first for a presentation. The feeling of being done first and not stressing about when I’ll finally have to present is worth it. Volunteering helps you grow as a person and there are many benefits to doing it. Once you’re passed the reasons for not doing it, volunteering becomes a habit.

I find this article to be intriguing, I have never heard before that never volunteering will never let you advance. I do however get the point of this Army Truism of never volunteering in the army because that is a life or death situation. I think however in the army it is used to see who is there to help ant not only participate. I think it is a test for the survival of the fittest. In my own personal experience, you should always volunteer, it’s the only way you get places in life or in business. I think people do not realize that. I have noticed that when working harder or always asking what someone needs you to do, people take notice and they think highly of you. They also will compare you to others so if a person is never doing more than expected, the person doing more will be highly thought of in comparison. We all get stuck or too comfortable in life. People are stuck in a head space that this is enough. You can be comfortable, but you should always want to better yourself. It should never be this it, it should always be what is next.

Volunteering has many benefits both for you and those around you. Every time you take on a new task you are either refining what you already know, or challenging yourself to something new. Coasting through a class or a job might yield adequate results, but extending yourself and putting effort into trying new things brings personal growth. Even if the skill seems minute or superfluous it may come in handy one day and there’s no harm in acquiring extra knowledge. Those around you benefit when you volunteer because it fosters a more open environment that encourages other to volunteer too. When you are constantly asking others if they need help or trying to lessen the workload for them, you can be confident that when you are in that position, many of your cohorts will offer help too. It is also a trait that will be recognized by management and taken into consideration for promotions, raises, and the like. However, it is equally as important to know when to say no and recognize when you have reached your bandwidth so that the quality of your work doesn’t suffer and you are not too drained where you cannot wake up the next day and do it all again.

As I get older I begin to realize how blessed I am to have been equipped with such a large personality. My mom has always been my biggest mentor in my life, and she taught me from a very young age to not only embrace my large personality, but to use it for good. I am lucky enough to have a large supply of built in confidence in things that I am passionate about, so I often seek out leadership opportunities within these areas. One of the things that makes me the happiest is coaching, which is of course a volunteer role. Anyone who knows me knows that I am extremely involved in the cheerleading community. When I realized I had a real talent for certain aspects of cheerleading, I stepped up to mentor the younger children at the gym that I cheered for. I would always volunteer to teach classes, just for the pure fact that I loved being in the gym, and I wanted to inspire the next generation of athletes. Eventually my program needed someone to assist in coaching a team, and I was the first person they contacted. I spent the season going above and beyond for the girls on my team. I would come to practice early to help them with their tumbling, and certain aspects of our routine. Eventually our gym owner noticed, and I got promoted to the head coach of the team. Eventually, one of the coaches that I worked alongside, and who coached me previously, was creating his own tumbling gym.
He needed someone who specialized in stunting. He came across some online content I had created for a cheer business that I was hoping to bring to life. He immediately contacted me to plan a business meeting and he ended up becoming my business partner this year. He watched me in the gym always helping the younger kids, and he watched me lead my team when he was my coach. If I wouldn’t have done all of that previously, he might not have seen the potential to start a business with me. I am a great example of someone who has worked their way to the top through volunteering, and doing something you are passionate about. I not only agree that you should volunteer, but if you put time into volunteering for something you really care about, then it will bring you both happiness and success.

From taking Professor Yoest’s Leadership class, this article was incredibly relatable. Having lived the situation in class that the article described, I sadly admit that I was not the first person to volunteer on the first day of class and I actually regret it. I was always told to volunteer as a kid, but later on I caught onto the anxious feeling that everyone gets before they volunteer to do something uncomfortable. I challenge myself to always be confident and try to volunteer in situations outside of my comfort zone. I watched both volunteerism, and the lack of it, play out when I worked in the Senate. I vividly remember our sweet staff assistant coming back to the intern desks and asking us to do something and not a single person volunteering to help. By midsummer, I finally caught on and got in the groove of volunteering. All of a sudden, I was the busiest person, so everyone wanted to give me projects and tasks to complete; I was everyone’s go to “get it done” girl. It was nothing short of a rewarding experience. I had never had a volunteer-based course, however, until I took Leadership. I did not realize the importance of volunteering until my experience in the Senate and in Leadership class. Volunteering separates you from the crowd and people are bound to notice your confidence. It leads to additional opportunities and, also, makes others feel more comfortable. But I disagree with the part of the article that states that you will not get paid more to volunteer. I believe in some cases, not all, people will notice, and you can get a promotion, pay raise, or a new opportunity for being an eager employee and student.

This is a very interesting article in that fact that being the first to volunteer has many more benefits than downsides. As a student, being the first to volunteer is not something one wants to do. We may push it off on to other students in order to get an idea on what to say. As students, we want to make a good first impression and if we are the first to volunteer, our answer may not be the best and we will not make a good impression on the teacher. However, after reading the article I understand it does not matter what the person says, it matters in the action of going first. This is the best first impression you can show your teacher. This is very helpful and I will practice it going forward in my studies and career.

I think the idea of volunteering in life is very important, it could be spending time in an animal shelter or even helping someone carry their groceries to the car. It is even more important in a work environment. In the outside world, there is no real benefit other than making yourself feel good. In the work environment, there could be physical benefits. As an intern, you are trying to prove yourself to the rest of the company. You are trying to say that you can fit in with everyone else and are willing to learn and pick up new skills. Interning for an accounting firm can be challenging because what we learn in school is so much different than what is actually performed on a day to day basis. If I am able to go to my senior and ask for more work and say that I can do something so they do not have to do it, that makes me look better because I am trying to learn. You see this all of the time, whether it be all of the interns in a training and having to introduce themselves, or people who have worked together for years. I think in a work environment, if you are unable to volunteer your skills or your time as an intern, there is a small change you will not be offered the full-time position. You are not contributing to the greater good of the company and therefore not being a team player that others want to work with or for.

This article was very interesting and it opened my eyes to many things. It truly made me realize that volunteering, whether it is volunteering in the community or simply volunteering to answer a question in class, is not only positive for themselves but also for the people around them. For example, volunteering in the community, whether it is working at a nursing home or simply reffing a youth sports game obviously has a direct positive effect on the people involved. In my opinion it also has a huge positive effect on the person performing this great work; it could give them a moral boost or simply make them feel good about themselves.
This article did have some great points including the example at the beginning that some people just prefer to sit back and not “volunteer” themselves for the situation at hand while others are eager to “volunteer” themselves for the same situation at hand. From my experience in school and working, I could not agree with this part of the article more. Although I agree with many points in the article, I do not agree with the Army’s interpretation of volunteering “Keep low. Keep quiet”. In my opinion, a person should never become complacent in life whether it has to due with a job, school, sport, etc. A person should always believe that they can improve anything in their life or simply improve themselves.
This article really opened up my eyes and made me come to the conclusion that companies want to hire “go-getters” and not the people who sit in the back of class and never participate. There is a big difference between these two types of people and volunteering in life overall is the main difference.

Leadership skills must be cultivated. Volunteering and taking initiative is one way to develop leadership skills. While in the short term, it can seem easier to let your colleague take on the project or your classmate do the presentation, you are only hurting your own development. As human beings, we often resort to the Army truism, “Never volunteer,” explained in the article. This type of behavior is easy; however, habitually, never volunteering can make people apathetic and lazy.

While some people garner the title of a natural-born leader, I think for most of us, leadership is a developed skill. A skill that comes from volunteering in class or taking part in school organizations, as Dr. Henry Mintzberg wrote. From my own experiences, I have learned to speak up. Volunteering was not always easy for me, yet I have always pushed myself outside my comfort zone. As the President of an organization on campus, I am called on to lead discussions and develop a positive environment for our members. I play for the University’s golf team and repeatedly have seen the benefits of attending optional practices for the betterment of my own game. The line, “You can’t get hammered if you don’t get noticed,” caught my attention as you will also not get recognized or promoted for good work if you are not noticed.

The points raised in the article carry over to what is demanded in the professional world. As an intern, I am expected to be self-motivated to take advantage of my time working with the company. This means volunteering for any and all projects. When projects are assigned, it is important to work diligently and go beyond what is expected. Volunteering is a way to develop leadership skills; volunteering shows that you are engaged and value the given project or interaction.

Volunteering in the military is never advised. The reason being is that you will have to do more work and won’t be paid more. However, volunteering in school is always advised. There are several advantages to speaking first. One, nobody is paying attention to the first person, they are all focused on what they will say. Two, nobody tends to criticize the first speakers, they have more leeway. Three, you participation is required, if you have to go, you might as well go first with all the cards in your favor.

In a career, volunteering is even more essential. Recognition and other people knowing you are capable helps you to advance in a career. Besides advancing, it helps others to know what you are capable of and that they can rely upon you if needed. This helps to build their idea of you as an indispensable employee. It is never a bad idea to challenge yourself and try to learn something new, especially when your career is affected positively. In short, volunteering in a professional environment is even more important than volunteering in an academic environment.

This article brings to light the importance of volunteering. This is something that is not only attributed to the work place, but in our everyday lives. I think most people can agree that it is no easy feat being the first one to volunteer in a large group of people. We subconsciously have this notion that someone will step up before us and do the work that we are too scared to do. However, admitting and overcoming this concept is a step towards growth. While the rest of the group will forget who decided to volunteer first once the rest start to filter in, the one who asked will not forget. In my current internship, I have had the opportunity to meet with numerous people in the development department. While at first I wanted to make the best impression by always coming up with the “right answer”, I learned that my best connections formed when I would ask out-of-the-box questions. Although I was nervous to put myself out there, it made me stand out and showed my supervisors and other employees that I was really interested in the work and the organization. Being confident in yourself goes a long way, and is how you will stand out amongst that large group of people.

I used to hate volunteering because I was scared to say the wrong thing or make a fool of myself but now, that’s not the case. Volunteering in class allows me to express my thoughts and opinions, while peaking the interest of my fellow peers, and receiving feedback from my professor. I always knew and kept it at the back of my head that whoever speaks first when professors want their students to participate sets the tone and pace for the rest of the class. Sometimes volunteering in class is like a domino effect because you just need that one person to create a chain reaction from the rest of the class. I don’t completely agree that no one is listening to the first guy because you won’t get a second person to speak if they weren’t listening in the first place. I do agree however that volunteers are natural leaders because they are risk-takers and fearless when they raise their hand first and people follow their lead by raising their hand and volunteering to speak their mind. I want to encourage my peers to always volunteer and express your thoughts and opinions.

In the article above, a reader is first prompted to “never volunteer” describing the Army’s belief that volunteering does not simply earn a person more stripes or a promotion. Instead they are encouraged to keep a low profile and remain complacent with their given assignments. In life and especially in business, however, this idea is merely the opposite of reality. Throughout school and other activities those who volunteer are generally seen as a leader, having the courage to volunteer first often allows one to gain the attention of those in charge. As a young professional beginning my career, I think it even more important to volunteer for work duties. Volunteering allows one to gain more experience, as well as provides an opportunity to prove their competence and eagerness to contribute to the company’s goals. Volunteering can be a daunting task; it takes courage to move outside one’s comfort zone in a classroom or work setting. It is important to note however that by doing so you often receiving “first movers’ advantage” presenting ideas or strategies firsts allows your thoughts to prominent, you have the audience’s attention and they have nothing other to compare your work too. In conclusion although volunteering can be daunting it is something we all should do in order to be a better leader, student and manager.

As short and straight to the point as this article was, it delivered a deep and strong meaning that not only students should understand. The overall idea of being the first to volunteer will bring people a lot further than most is not emphasized and thought of very often. Although I admit in not always being the first, or even the first few, to volunteer, I am realizing the value and positive impression it shows. Many people choose to not volunteer because they overthink and overanalyze any predetermined opinions and reactions from others. However, it is true that no one is paying attention to that first volunteer. No one in the class will remember what is said by that first person minutes after it is said because everyone is occupied with doing their own thing. However, on the professor’s side, being the first to speak up leaves an impression that one is able to fearlessly be open to communicating and speaking their thoughts. It never hurts to go above and beyond in anything we face. This lesson goes beyond being in the classroom. This message needs to reach all kinds of people because it is a crucial step in strengthening interpersonal skills and relationships.

Growing up in a Catholic household, volunteering was never something I thought about as an option. I don’t think I understood that the literal definition of volunteering is to freely take part in a task. It was just something we did for our church, school, neighborhood etc. In high school volunteering was not only implemented into our class schedule, but it was enforced in the classroom. Similar to this article, I remember one of my English classes that we constantly had presentations in. The first day of class the teacher made a statement that the first person to volunteer to present each day will automatically get one letter grade higher on their presentation grade. We never had a class that entire year where not at least one person volunteered. I completely agree with this article that setting the precedence of volunteering at a young age is so important. It truly does shape the person you become in society. If our society can unlimitedly grow in one area, I would say its leadership. There are never enough leaders in the world, whether it’s with volunteering directly or in your job. “Volunteers are natural leaders.” This quote proves true time and time again. It may start in the classroom with volunteering to speak, but it will continue with you through life. The more you volunteer, the more you lead.

After reading this article it made me realize how important it is to volunteer. Volunteering in anything shows initiative, passion and courage in any given situation. Bosses and leaders love students who take the initiative and volunteer in uncomfortable positions. It shows your boss or leader that your aren’t afraid to jump into a situation you aren’t totally comfortable with. Bosses also like people who give back to the community, it shows that you care about your community and you care about giving back to the area you are from, helping the less fortunate, or simply want to help others with your kind heart. Volunteering at work and being the “alert worker” allow you to get recognized at work especially if you do a good job. Everyone who is in the room listening to what is being said has an important role, everyone has something to say about the situation. If you don’t stand up and volunteer first you might not get to give your feeling about the situation. Say for instance you were to scared to stand up and speak in front of everyone because you thought your idea wasn’t the right idea, you could have the right answer but no one would know because you never stood up and spoke up. It is important to volunteer and be the first one to speak in any given situation.

“Middle child syndrome” was a prominent concept growing up in my house. When I was a toddler, my older sister did everything first since she was the first born. When my little sister was born, she had to speak, eat, and basically do everything before me, since she is the “baby of the family.” My parents used to tell me, “We are saving the best for last,” which did not make me feel better at all. Since I did not have the ability to volunteer when I was younger, I now practice volunteering daily in my adulthood. For example: I love being the first person to give presentations in class because the professor’s expectations are lower since there are no other presentations to compare mine to. Another reason I like volunteering is because I enjoy giving my initial opinion before it gets tainted by other people’s answers. The first opinion tends to set the tone for the rest of the argument, which I also like. It is also extremely rewarding when your boss gives you a task that you already performed. All supervisors want their interns to put in that extra effort. Volunteering does not go unnoticed. In conclusion, I believe going the extra mile is always beneficial and sometimes necessary in business and personal relationships. “Middle child syndrome” was a prominent concept growing up in my house. When I was a toddler, my older sister did everything first since she was the first born. When my little sister was born, she had to speak, eat, and basically do everything before me, since she is the “baby of the family.” My parents used to tell me, “We are saving the best for last,” which did not make me feel better at all. Since I did not have the ability to volunteer when I was younger, I now practice volunteering daily in my adulthood. For example: I love being the first person to give presentations in class because the professor’s expectations are lower since there are no other presentations to compare mine to. Another reason I like volunteering is because I enjoy giving my initial opinion before it gets tainted by other people’s answers. The first opinion tends to set the tone for the rest of the argument, which I also like. It is also extremely rewarding when your boss gives you a task that you already performed. All supervisors want their interns to put in that extra effort. Volunteering does not go unnoticed. In conclusion, I believe going the extra mile is always beneficial and sometimes necessary in business and personal relationships.

This article was a terrific read. I think there is a lot to learn in volunteering. It has taught me that stepping out of your comfort zone is never going to feel natural unless you do it enough. It is difficult enough being the first one to speak, but you need to have the confidence to speak first. I truly agree that no one listens to what the first person says. I am often considering what I would like to say and just hoping that it is somewhat aligned with others. I disagree with the military approach because I think you need moral victories also. It is always beneficial when someone steps up, speaks first and then let’s everyone else voice their opinion. Being first shows that you are a leader, that you do not care if you are right or wrong. Volunteering is for leaders. Followers will always sit there and listen but to be there first one to stand up and face the music is a quality that is tremendous to be around. This goes a long way in the work environment also, can we prove that we can be leaders? Can we be trusted to volunteer for the job no one else wants. Unfortunately we are entering a competitive work world, how do we seperate ourselves. Volunteering is a great start!

Not standing up and volunteering is easy. It is easy to keep a low profile and just go with the flow of things. However, what is even the point of being there in the first place then? People join the army for reasons, but why not volunteer to do things when that is the very reason that they signed up in the first place. People always fall back to what they know as their comfort level at least several times in their lives. This can lead to complacency and stagnation. One cannot truly grow until they leave this box and challenge themselves to do something more. In being in the workforce it is important to remember this. If you are already there working then why not do your best job and volunteer to take on more tasks to further improve yourself. It is comfortable to continue to be average and do a job but that is not how we grow as people or improve the firms that we work for. Just like being in the military it is important to further the strength of your unit just like in business. In conclusion, it is important to volunteer and try your very best because why do anything if it is not your best.

The two things that immediately stood out to me while reading the article are the fact that you, Professor Yoest, give an A to the student who volunteers first and Dr. Henry Mintzberg’s comment. First, as a student, it is a big surprise to hear that you would award the first volunteer an A in the class. If your students knew that beforehand, I am sure every student would raise their hand immediately. If the students knew before, however, then “volunteering” first wouldn’t be so heroic as there is a very strong and practical reason to volunteer first. It is all in the fact that whoever goes first has that courage to speak in front of the whole class, which merits applause but I wouldn’t say merits an A for the class. But what does my opinion matter, you’re the boss!

Secondly, regarding Dr. Mintzberg’s comment, I disagree with his belief that “The best way to predict who will take initiative and serve as a leader is to see what young people do at school.” My disagreement is based on my own belief that each individual has his/her own unique calling and, once that calling is figured out, he/she will then blossom. In other words, some students may never talk in class but, once they get a job, they flourish and become a leader because that particular job is their calling, or their place where they are comfortable and love what they do, which allows them to be a leader there. On the other hand, some students may flourish in a class setting and seem like a leader but that is only because they are with fellow students. Once they get into the real world, they may get uncomfortable and fail to exhibit those same leadership features they had in class. After all, a handful of the wealthiest people in the United States didn’t even finish college.

When reading this article my first thought that this is the exact reason that I do not like going first in class. I never went first when I was younger because I wanted to be remembered. As well as I wanted to see how other people handled themselves so that I could adapt in such a way that they could provide me with better results in the long run. But the more I grew up and the more seriously I took school I found that I do in fact agree with everything that is being said. The change in heart though had to come with a change in mindset. I personally had to stop believing that I should just fly by the seat of my pants all the time. I found that the more prepared that I was to present the better than things went and even if I went first it did not matter because I was able to set the bar high enough that I would be remembered. And to be quite honest I really took to this mind set when I personally realized that no matter how many presentations of other I watched if I knew what I was talking about I most likely was not going to change anything anyway. So, I might as well go first.

I really enjoyed reading this article because it made me really reflect on the type of student/person I am when in a crowd that is asked to volunteer. I could completely relate to the awkward silence present in the classroom after a teacher asks for a volunteer. And I realized that more times than not I will raise my hand to either help the professor out or because I can no longer take that awkward silence. In my internship this summer, this lesson is especially important because the first brave intern to volunteer is extremely noticeable. Being an intern at a large innovative company can have quite an intimidation factor, but I’ve realized that in order to be noticed you need to volunteer even if it means making a mistake or saying the wrong thing. Being the first to volunteer also radiates confidence, which is an extremely important thing to portray when walking into a new environment. Confidence shows that you are up for the challenge and are not scared to put yourself out there because you are comfortable in your own skin. I believe that even if you are not the most confident person, it is best to fake it until you make it! But overall, I think this article was very well said and properly communicated the importance of volunteering.

This article speaks of the truth of volunteering and the benefits that can come from it. In the article when it talks about growing up and being immersed in different volunteer settings or organizations I immediately thought back on my childhood and time throughout high school. Growing up surrounded by a large hard working family I found it very important to spread my wings and be a part of as many opportunities as I could. Growing up for me that looked like being a part of many different sports teams, joining clubs, student government, volunteering with groups and mission trips, and parish involvement. As I have grown older and been able to reflect on my life I can see the way these different opportunities have affected me. I have been able to carry important lessons and characteristics with me as I have grown, and all of these opportunities have helped shaped the person I am today. Volunteering in general is definitely something I hold dear to me and try to do often whether it be speaking first in a class, amongst a team, or breaking the awkward silences. I definitely agree with the article that is not always easy, but those who tend to speak first have a slight advantage to others. I also believe the more you practice this, the more comfortable you are to do it later and exercise it in a professional environment. During my internship this summer I have felt increasingly more comfortable introducing myself to people and reaching out to those who I work with, the more I practiced it. Volunteering to speak first, work with others, and giving your time are all ways in which you can become a great leader and learn those skills and characteristics from others.

The best way to spot a leader is through initiative. Who takes action first. Volunteering is an essential aspect of what makes us human, not just giving ones time to the needy, or helping others out. But, being the one to go first, I believe it is essential to try as many new things as one can possibly do. I loved gaining overall experience, and if I was the first one to go the better. I could set the example and lead. I like to think that I am a strong advocate for myself, so even if I was wrong, which of course happens a-lot I could productively explain my reasoning. The article talks about the great first impression volunteering, and while it is not easy. I have had similar experiences, for example in baseball I always love to hit first in the cage. I have a strong feeling of confidence and I believe I will perform. While the military approach is understandable, I believe volunteering and stepping out of ones comfort zone is definitely a necessary experience. This experience should be encouraged by coaches, teachers, and business leaders. The individual ability to take risk for the greater good of the group is a much underrated skill.

I like the message of this article, to “Always Volunteer.” While it may not be easy to volunteer and take the first step in speaking, I definitely agree from experience that the stress comes off right away. It is much easier then to sit back and enjoy the rest of the speakers and not dwell and stress over what you will have to say. It is important in life to be comfortable with volunteering because it will open your mind to trying new things and taking risks. It is not always easy to do but worth it. I also agree that when one volunteers they are usually rewarded in some way because it is appreciated when you see someone take that chance. Natural leaders take initiative and take risk and others tend to follow. If we take advantage of the situations we face and volunteer it can make a great first impression to our teachers, co-workers and friends. It also shows that you are a good team player. It is not easy for anyone to just volunteer but if you work on it, it can become easier. I thought this was a great article, with a simple topic but it really made me think and understand the impact that volunteering can have in life.

As someone who doesn’t speak up in class very often, I found this article extremely interesting. I think volunteering, especially first, is something that shows character. As mentioned in this article, volunteering first shows leadership. This really made me rethink the way I participate in class, always being afraid of getting it wrong or what my peers will think of what I said. Although like it says in the article, no one really pays attention to the first person who answers, it’s really just the conversation starter. Volunteering first shows courage, character, and leadership.I am always someone that tries to keep my head down in class, so this article kind of hit me in a different way. I never realized what kind of impressions you can make on your professor by just giving some effort in class. Not only does it make a good impression but you can make new connections with people you didn’t know before. I think that while it may be scary at first, there is no harm to speaking up.
I think it’s not only something to do in class but also in your career, by just keeping your head down, your boss will never know who you are and you may never get anywhere if you don’t speak up and use your voice.

I have sat at my desk struggling to think of a way to start this response for about five minutes now. Ironically, however, I think my inability to successfully begin this assignment ties perfectly into the meaning of this article. The beginning of something is usually the most difficult. I know for me personally, I often spend hours and hours procrastinating on starting an assignment or a project because I want it to be perfect on the first try, and my fear of failure overtakes me. I think this is somewhat the same in regards to the class scenario that is given in the article. So often, we find ourselves afraid to be the first one to speak because of fear. We are afraid we will say something stupid, or that we will make a mistake, and sometimes we are probably just terrified that people will actually pay attention to us and listen to what we have to say. But what the article says is true; nobody is really paying attention to the first person anyways. Just as you have probably forgotten the first sentence of my response over which I spent five minutes agonizing. I like to think of the saying: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Why wouldn’t you want to be the person to speak up first? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The same goes with volunteering outside of a classroom setting as well. Because it is not a graded or evaluated activity, you are really volunteering to better yourself and to give back to your community. Again, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

At first I was puzzled by the ancient Army truism “Never volunteer.” Throughout my life I have been under the impression that it was important to get involved in various activities. Volunteering makes one stand out of the crowd. I was curious as to where the article was going to go but as I continued to read on, the article agreed that this Army truism was incorrect.

One point that resonated with me is that volunteers are natural leaders. The article quotes Dr. Mintzberg claiming that there is a correlation between students who participate in school activities and activism later in life. This was very notable to me, as students, we are always encouraged to “get involved” but never really told the long-term benefits of engaging in these activities other than it “looks good on your resume.” It is clear, engaging in these activities teach you valuable skills (such as time management, team building, etc) which are all qualities of successful leaders.

I believe from a young age it is evident who will be a leader: I also believe people can develop their leadership skills over time. While there may be some natural born leaders, by committing to volunteering and putting yourself out there you are able develop essential leadership skills.

While these thoughts seem to go against the ancient Army truism “Never volunteer,” I question the true meaning of this truism. I believe the truism is more of a call to action to see who will really step up and volunteer despite its message. The individual who steps up would be a true leader.