For Lancy Zhou, stepping into the role of ASB president was no small feat. The experience as ASB president has both been rewarding and enlightening. Her journey began during her junior year when she served on the ASB board. The experience of working on the board, collaborating with peers, and making an impact on the school community inspired her to take on the challenge of leading the student body. “I really enjoyed being a board member and getting to work a little more behind the scenes alongside my peers,” Lancy said.
Now as the president, Lancy would describe her experience as quite smooth. “I have an amazing board which I love working with and very supportive friends that keep me motivated through the year,” Lancy said. However, leadership is never without its challenges. One of the biggest lessons she had to learn when becoming a leader was how to maintain being an approachable but stern leader. She needed to ensure that there was mutual respect among the team. “My biggest challenge was learning how to state boundaries—when I can be a chill leader and allow people to relax while working at their own pace versus being stern and making sure everyone’s respect for each other was mutual,” Lancy said.
Through her experience, she has learned that leadership requires her to be flexible. “Over time I just learned the rules of time and place, especially with the group of students in our student body. I had to learn how each person worked and how to figure out a way to adapt to everyone’s needs,” Lancy said. She understands that different people have different needs and she needs to be able to understand that to ensure a smooth running team.
She also understands that she needs to prioritize working over playing. “…I am not the kind of person who can have fun and work at the same time. It isn’t very realistic and possible for me…,” Lancy said. Her academics has always been her main priority, so she must work hard to be able to have some fun with her peers.
Lancy believes that a strong leader means being a people person. She believes that unity is not built through dictating and controlling others but by building a connection with others. She values collaboration and determination for effective leadership.
Fortunately, she has never faced a negative leadership experience because of her gender. In fact, Lancy sees being a woman as an advantage in her role. “Personally being a woman as ASB president definitely gives me the upper hand with being stern and having the slight factor of intimidation, which I think is needed,” Lancy said. To help herself stay motivated, she has drawn inspiration from other influential women like Pat Mcgrath, Zendaya, and Michelle Obama.
The most valuable lesson she has learned? That leadership does not mean pleasing everyone. She knows that if she tries to make everything convenient or to make everyone happy, things would not get done. Lancy knows there is only so much one person can do.
As Lancy reflects on her time as president, she hopes to be remembered as a leader who always had a plan–a dependable person. Through her journey, Lancy has demonstrated that great leadership is about balance–between authority and empathy.