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I interviewed my parents about being in a group and leadership because my mom, being a scholar, has to communicate with other students whether it is for a group project or needs someone else's point of view. My dad, being a veteran, has to get used to following orders and taking charge if someone else needs help. Both of my parents know how to be a leader and a member, especially in larger situations (major group projects and/or checking the planes so the maintenance is in order). Both occupations require a lot of hard work and responsibility, which is why I chose my parents to interview.

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My dad joined the Navy at age 19 and takes pride in his love for airplanes. He carries his interest later in life.

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Me: How do you work with people you don't get along with?
Dad: The best was to work with people you don't like if you think about the task at hand.
Me: How do you and the people you work with come up with an idea?
Dad: Groups come up with ideas by having an open forum.
Me: How do you take advantage of the different talents of the members in your group?
Dad: You take advantage of the members of your group by finding their best talents, their weaknesses, and their strengths.
Me: What is the benefit of having a diverse group?
Dad: A wide selection of ideas from different points of view.
Me: How do you encourage new members to join your group?
Dad: Show them something that appeals to them. Show them ideas the other groups don't have.
Me: What characteristic do you think every leader should have?
Dad: Every leader should have strength and conviction, perseverance, and not show favoritism.
Me: What do you think is the biggest challenge of being a leader?
Dad: The biggest challenge to being the leader is keeping ideas fresh.
Me: What advice would you give to upcoming/aspiring leaders?
Dad: The best advice I can give is never forget about the people who helped you get to where you are.

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Me: How do you work with people you don't get along with?
Mom: First of all, you keep the goal in mind. In the real world, there are going to be personalities that just don't get along, but as a leader, you realize the goal is to achieve, success, and completing the task at hand. So, just focusing on the task.
Me: How do you and the people you work with come up with an idea?
Mom: We brainstorm among the group and we tend to find the best approach to a new activity.
Me: How do you take advantage of the different talents of the members in your group?
Mom: There are different projects that would enhance or ensue different strengths of different members of a group. This time might be something that incorporates a certain culture, other times, it could be from a different background. Some people are strong in financing if we have a budget. So, at different times would be an opportunity for members of the group to flourish and show and sift in leadership.
Me: What is the benefit of having a diverse group?
Mom: Once again, it's not as creative if you have everyone thinking the same, coming from the same backgrounds and in the same age group. There is a time in place for that, but truly, if you are representing a global world or trying to reach more people of different backgrounds, it's always wise to have representatives of different groups so they can give you a different perspective and you don't offend groups you are trying attract by lack of knowledge.
Me: How do you encourage new members to join your group?
Mom: Well, by treating the members of your group with respect and typically word-of-mouth and reputation far exceeds in the publicity and marketing strategies of your organization.
Me: What characteristic do you think every leader should have?
Mom: Open-mindedness and respect for all people involved.
Me: Why?
Mom: without respect, you can't get people to work with you and they will leave or they won't even be a part of your group.
Me: What do you think is the biggest challenge of being a leader?
Mom: Understanding that everyone has value. As a leader, it's a position, but you're still a member of a group. So, many times, I think the more common complaints I've heard in my lifetime, working in different places is that leadership sometimes forget that they need to feel included. It's not an "us-them". It's a "we" mentality. You know. It's not, "Those are my workers and I'm the boss." It's, "If you're not doing well, what am I doing as a leader to make thing better. How can I make you guys work better as a  team or how can we get further along? Do they have a voice?"
Me: What do you think is an easy mistake to make as a leader?
Mom: Assuming you know everything. You may have come into an organization as a leader fresh out of college or having an experience in certain fields, but at the same time, the world is always changing. So, being willing to say, "I don't know what's going on.", once again, a diverse group can say, "Well, that was cool in your era, but now, from where I'm from, we don't really go by that way." or "This is a better way of doing it. That's good, but this could be better." and to be open-minded.
Me: What advice would you give to upcoming or aspiring leaders?
Mom: Be around people who are actually showing success. Everyone has an opinion, but you want to connect with people who are actually thriving in an organization or business, people who definitely have experience and have made mistakes and are wiling to share them and be a great listener. You know, you may know some things, but always understand that you still are still a student as well of people and growing trends.

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Kimberly H. Lowe, a proud North Philadelphia resident, attends Holy Family University. She is currently working on her dissertation, while balancing family life. Her research focuses on validation of nontraditional students. Kimberly’s early involvement with education and public speaking stem from her membership with the Philadelphia Chapter of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO, later changed to AAEO), advocating for her daughter, Kyla. After enrolling her daughter into first grade, she returned back to college through the Graduate! Philadelphia program. In 2016, Kimberly joined Graduate! Philadelphia Board of Directors and anticipates receiving her Doctorate of Education in 2018.