I don’t know if I exactly call this being a leader, but I went to a Japanese language Summer camp for several summers. I always chose a group that I was at the higher end of the age bracket because I felt like I could act as a big sister to many of the people there, and often did. Girls in my cabin looked up to me, came to me to talk about their problems, either at home, or camp, or just general worries. I helped them make friends, helped them with the homework. I felt like a junior councilor more than a camper myself.
Had I not decided to go to this camp with that particular age bracket, sure I would have still enjoyed myself and made friends, but It was a good and rewarding experience to feel responsible for the girls around me. I really enjoyed being the one they came to for advice and looked up to in the manner, because I really do feel I can give good advice. I am sensitive and empathic and I felt I was actually able to help several of them, particularly their self esteem (13 to 15 year old female nerds tend to have that particular problem. :/) and i enjoyed it tremendously. If I hadn’t gone there, I probably wouldn’t have the same confidence I have in my ability to be strong and give good advice, or the same desire to an anchor for people when things are rough. This confidence allows me to keep doing these things, which I enjoy so much, and allows me to help the people around me with the small things, because they know that they can trust me and I can handle whatever the world might throw at me. So I know that if in the future I am called upon to be a leader I will be able to do my job with confidence and gain the trust of those around me.
Side note:
In fact I already have done so on a smaller scale, once by being captain for a day on a sailing trip full of total strangers. I was worried that our lack of relationship and how much different I was from them (well off and nerdy/not popular on the small ship) would make them not listen to me. But they all voted me one of the best captains of the voyage and the day went smoothly. I am currently trying to apply these skills to a position in my group on campus as an archivist for TRS, but the council seems to have a different opinion of my job. I need to talk to someone about that, because I do enjoy being in a leadership position.
Funny, when I first started writing this, I couldn’t think of times I had been a leader at all. Now that I think about it, I can remember many. 
Its a good feeling.
Much love,
Kai-An
