ANGIE SHEEP
<Arts & Culture Editor>
In this issue I have decided to deviate from my usual fashion focus and speak to something that had concerned me all last year and continues to do so this semester. This article therefore, will be more on the serious side but hopefully it’ll be more helpful and longer lasting in your brilliant minds than the usual clothing rant (though I’m sure that’s extremely important to everyone as well!). The issue or perhaps, the problem, at Osgoode is the occurrence of sabotage. I’m not referring to the minor jokes or friendly competition, but the deliberate attempt and intention to jeopardize a peer’s path to success in an already difficult environment (I think criminal law has had more of an effect on me than I thought). I am not, however, suggesting that the practice of sabotage is running rampant in Osgoode’s halls, but I believe it’s existent and should not be overlooked. Thus in this issue I will make a (hopefully convincing) case against sabotage and for bringing out greatness in your peers and why you may want to do so.
It Expands Your Circle
When you sabotage someone, you inevitably push people away and your peers are the last people you want to alienate. I’m sure you have heard the phrase “it’s not about what you know but who you know” uttered numerous times. No matter how skeptical you are of it, it’s true to a greater extent than you’d expect. And since you don’t know now exactly who you may need help from in the future, expand your “who’s” and behave as if you will need all of them somewhere down the road. Therefore, when you refuse a helpful hand (when it’s so easy for you to do so) or resort to sabotage, you are really holding yourself back. That person may end up losing a mark or two on this one exam, but you end up losing all your credibility and networks.
It Draws People In
If you support and enable the people around you to achieve their goals, you become a common denominator to their success. This attracts more peers who want to be a part of your life and come to you for advice. This is what a leader does. And, more importantly, do you really want to be the person who cannot find a partner when a group project is assigned?
It Strengthens Relations
To a certain extent, we all embody some Type A personality traits. We like organization; we like control. I’m challenging you to lessen the grip on that control, especially in scenarios where you have to collaborate with your peers. First of all, it becomes too chaotic when everyone tries to assert control over the rest of the group; this results in wasted time and unwanted arguments. Second, when you are so obsessed with being the “dominator”, you risk others feeling like they’re being used as instruments instead of equal partners. Too much control also stifles individuality and creativity and prevents the listening to each other that’s needed for a good mark, career, relationship, etc. And though you may hate to admit it, someone else’s idea may be actually much more brilliant than yours.
You Are Already Great
Look at the opportunities you have. There exist people who would give anything to go to school (let alone law school); you have that and beyond. This may sound like a guilt trip or a “be thankful for what you have” rant but there is a reason why this notion comes up again and again; it lets you consider the big picture. Sometimes we become so absorbed in our studies and immediate circumstances that we lose perspective. To combat the itch of sabotage, it can be useful to take a moment to regain that objectivity. Looking to the world helps you remember that insignificant things are not worth the risk of losing your reputation and friendships.
Start Being A Great Leader Now
When you think about whom you consider as “great” leaders or organizations (Martin Luther King? Google?), how many can you count? The number of great leaders remains quite small when considered in conjunction with our entire human history. What they do seems to always run counter to the rest of their peers or the industry standard, so why don’t you? Leaders inspire us and we respect and follow them because we want to; we believe in their cause. What is your cause when you refuse a helping hand or when you sabotage? And do you expect people to be persuaded by it? Why not change your objective to something that the majority of your peers will praise and follow? I believe most Ozzies want to study in an encouraging and sabotage-free environment. In order to realize this objective, it’s important to enable that atmosphere and give everyone a chance for greatness.
Some of you may argue that law school is an inherently competitive environment so it is important to “get the upper hand” however you can. You may also say that sabotaging is temporary and when you’ve “finally made it”, you will be the most supportive leader. To the first argument, I would like to ask you what kind of person and lawyer you aim to be; but perhaps this question is too ambiguous and too far in the future to have a persuasive effect. I, therefore, put to you this: success almost always depends on practice and if you repeatedly delay practicing the qualities of a great leader, how will you be a natural and inspiring one when the opportunity arrives? You don’t have to change your attitude and solution towards law school competition now, but do a little each day. You don’t have to go out of your way to help a peer, but when you can, give them a chance to be great. So when the real thing comes, you are ready for it.