Peer Pressure is often considered a negative behavior, but I believe positive peer pressure also exists. According to the New York Times at the following link http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/peer-pressure-can-be-a-lifesaver/, “You need opinion leaders in a community to do something, which gets other people to mimic that behavior,” added Jeremy Hand. “The other driver is the idea of peer pressure: if you know that you’re being observed, and the community accepts this behavior as healthy, that peer pressure factor can be a big driver of adoption.” This past summer of 2014, I was fortunate enough to travel to South America with Schreyer Honors College scholars. I embraced the cultures and customs of Colombia and Brazil. As a leader, I used positive peer pressure to push my peers to gulp, groove, and grab all the gusto of new experiences.
Leadership exists as a passion of mine, as well as the foundation of my honors thesis, The Lyrics of Leadership, an original children’s television show that teaches leadership skills through songs, skits, and sketches. Therefore, I like to model leadership. Nevertheless, my modeling methods may be considered extreme at times. In fact, my nickname in South America was “Lindsanity,” a play on my name as well as livening up mundane life with insane approaches.
When you travel, novel foods become a gateway into new cultures. To lead my peers into the world of unusual and unfamiliar cuisines, I start by savoring the flavors of rare foods in front of my friends, gulping even grotesque grub with glee. In Colombia, I chomped down cow tongue and Schreyer scholar Kyle Sheely joined me in the adventure. The tasting spectacle brought laughter to the group and opened their eyes and palates to new provisions during our travels abroad.
Besides gulping down grub, I lead the group by movin’ and groovin’ to the sights and sounds of South America. From samba to salsa to swaying on buses, I provided levity, lightheartedness, and laughter in times of long trips, crowded dance conditions, and congested sightseeing visits. With positive peer pressure, I embraced the culture and customs of Brazil, while wearing a sequined Brazilian flag-designed top or red sequined Carnaval costume. As a human disco ball, I bopped to the music of the land and inspired fellow travelers to move, groove, dance, and incorporate the performing arts of the country into their own lives by listening, laughing, loving, and learning the countries’ cultures and customs.
I grabbed on to the South American people, special souvenirs, and sweet-sounding instruments. I bonded with the people in Colombia and Brazil. From the wee ones to the weary women, I became their friend, student, and confidant. Not only did I learn from them, but they touched my life, tugging at my heartstrings. As a leader, it is important to model a warm and welcoming nature. I am a strong advocate for diversity, tolerance, and inclusion. It was fun seeing my peers bond with the local residents and make long lasting relationships. I also grabbed on to souvenirs that showcased the cultures and customs of the countries, such as costumes, artwork, jewelry, and handmade trinkets. My peers joined me in shopping and selecting meaningful souvenirs to remember our travels. As a musician, I bought specific instruments that highlight the music of South America, such as drums and horns. The Schreyer scholars also jumped at the chance to learn drumming techniques, sing in foreign languages with native residents, and dance the dances of the domain.
By leading with positive peer pressure, I gulped, grooved, and grabbed onto the novel experiences of South America, while inspiring other scholars to join me in the fun and frivolity. According to Secure Teen: How Positive Peer Pressure Works at the following link http://www.secureteen.com/peer-pressure/how-positive-peer-pressure-works/, the article states “A change in perspective about life and motivation to do well because of pressure from your peers can actually become inspiration in that instance.” During Schreyer Honors College and Presidential Leadership Academy trips, there exists many opportunities to positively pressure peers to grow as global citizens.
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