REP-PP Spring 2016 Blog: Leadership

Blogger:  Zack Brown

Law School Year:  ​3L
Placement:  American Civil Liberties Union, Washington Legislative Office

Leadership

“If you don't want to be a leader of character, don't come here.”
          - Former Texas A&M University Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. John Van Alstyne

Being in Washington, D.C. and working in public policy you really get a sense for just how much the federal government—in its various branches and agencies—sets the example, model and tone for the states and arguably the world. And, it does not take long to realize that if you want to make it here in the policy sphere, particularly if you want to make a difference here, that it takes a tremendous amount of leadership.

I have been blessed in my placement at the ACLU Washington Legislative Office because I am working with two of the most phenomenal advocates out there, and both demonstrate a tremendous amount of leadership. They both exhibit leadership in their everyday interactions at the office and in their work with other organizations in their coalition work and the way their presence commands respect at any meeting, whether it be one with 60-70 people in attendance for a quarterly coalition meeting to a smaller subsection meeting of the coalition with 20-30 people in attendance. It really is incredible to see the way other leaders of organizations look to them for their thoughts, insights, and opinions on various topics and how they take it with such a balance of humility and confidence together, making it all look effortless.

Working for a nonprofit advocacy organization, like the ACLU, I have been exposed to various aspects of the public policy and legislative process, from going to meet with Members of Congress to holding events on the Hill for staffers to meetings with the executive branch to meetings or events with other organizations or governmental agencies. Through this work, it has been easy to see that if you are not a leader in this town, you will quickly be dismissed and not given the chance to make change. I have been told that as an advocate you are only as good as your information; give bad statistics or data and you will ruin relationships in a hurry. Because of this, it is even more important for an advocate, at any level, to truly be a leader and make sure that everyone else you work with is sticking to the most reliable data and information so as to give your advocacy position and movement the most credibility with policy decision makers.

Ever since I stepped foot on campus at Texas A&M School of Law, I have been proud to be an Aggie. I did not go to A&M for my undergraduate studies, but I knew that being an Aggie meant something. That it represented the strongest network of former students. And, that being an Aggie—and getting those benefits that come along with it—came with a responsibility to uphold those Aggie Core Values. Now, I don’t know if there is one Core Value that is higher up on the totem pole than any of the others, but I do know that leadership truly is the culmination of all of the Aggie Core Values. If you are able to exhibit excellence, integrity, loyalty, respect, and selfless service, others have no choice but to look to you as a leader. And that is why ​former Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. John Van Alstyne could not have said it any better, “If you don't want to be a leader of character, don't come here.” Because here at A&M, not only will you become a leader of character, but thanks to so many great Aggies before you, you will be expected to be a leader of character by so many.