Social Change Competencies
Socially Responsible Leadership Scale (SRLS) Results
SRLS results from August 2024
SRLS results from April 2025
SRLS Growth Graph
Quantitative
I took the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale, or SRLS, assessment twice throughout my time in the Lead Forward Program - once when I began in August 2024, and again at the end of the academic year in April 2025. Looking at the results, there is a clear increase in almost all constructs with only one remaining the same because it was already at the highest possible value. My greatest growth was seen within the Consciousness of Self and Collaboration constructs in which my competence increased by 19.5% and 14.16% respectively. The Lead Forward Fellowship allows student leaders to discover their leadership types and develop into confident, successful leaders. Awareness of one's own abilities and the ability to effectively communicate knowledge, concerns, and opinions are essential skills that I developed during my time as a Fellow.
Qualitative
When looking at the SRLS results, there are still areas in which I can continue to improve. Although I saw the largest increase in competence with the Consciousness of Self construct, it also has the most room for improvement. Throughout the past academic year, I have discovered the leadership theories and beliefs that I use in my everyday life. I’ve learned that I value inclusiveness, diverse opinions, and communication in an organization and better understand their contributions to success. As the Research Squadron Leader, I put these into practice daily when guiding my squad and in general member meetings. However, I am still reflecting and learning how I best function as a leader. Congruence, or the act of consistently acting with one’s identified beliefs, is a closely related construct that I am also working to improve. Though this will take time, I am confident that I will solidify my values and follow them as I continue to gain more experience, both within SOAR and in my life.
Controversy with Civility is another area in which I can continue to grow. This is one of the competencies that I find to be most important because leaders are always going to face differing opinions. They must have the emotional intelligence, open mindedness, and creativity to consider these views and use them to create change. The value that comes from individuals with different backgrounds and beliefs that are willing to work towards a common goal can truly form a successful social initiative. The members of SOAR, for example, come from a wide range of different backgrounds and identities. As a leader in our organization, it is my job to recognize these differences and utilize them. I have learned how to encourage open conversations in which all members are free to share their opinions, which have resulted in some of our best creative work. I am still working to better comprehend and incorporate perspectives different from my own, but it is a welcome challenge that will allow SOAR to thrive.
Practicing socially responsible leadership takes time and a focus on individual development. I am eager to continue my growth as a leader and put these constructs to practice, utilizing my personal development to then help my community.
Testimonial
The following testimonials were written by Dr. Adam Watkins, PhD, who is SOAR's impact mentor and the Director of the Lead Forward Fellowship, and Dr. Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D., the Assistant Director of the Lead Forward Fellowship.
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Taylor is a fantastic student leader who has performed exceptionally in SOAR through Leadership. As a general member in Spring 2024, Taylor was highly active in helping the organization build a strong community and participated in several of the service visits at Lafayette Mentors, an afterschool program that serves 20+ youth. On these visits, Taylor demonstrated great communication skills and careful consideration for the youth’s needs, providing targeted affirmation and helping youth reflect on the lessons they were learning.
Combined with her strong interpersonal skills, Taylor has shown a strong commitment to purpose and an exemplary skillset with systems and research thinking, all of which she has utilized to make notable improvements to the SOAR curriculum. Since Taylor started with SOAR through leadership in Fall of 2023, she has shown a deep commitment to the mission of fostering leadership development in youth from underserved communities. Believing that all youth deserve the opportunity to hone the essential skills they need to become tomorrow’s leaders, Taylor became the Research Squad Leader for the 2024-2025 AY so that she could do further research into youth development for underserved youth and the role of mentorship in this process. With insights from her significant research efforts, Taylor has improved the underlying scaffolding of the SOAR curriculum to ensure our community service is more deliberate and more successful in promoting target learning outcomes. She has also been quite effective in coaching up other student leaders in SOAR, motivating their investment in the mission and giving them meaningful roles within SOAR’s research efforts.
Taylor has become one of the most dependable student leaders in SOAR and has made a concerted effort to promote collaboration across committees and to elevate others. She exemplifies what SOAR is all about and has been a tremendous asset to the growth of this organization.
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Adam Watkins, PhD
S.O.A.R. Impact Mentor
Director, Lead Forward Fellowship
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Taylor consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence throughout her leadership journey. She is a strategic thinker, and her creativity, diligence, and growth mindset made her a standout contributor in both academic and service-learning environments. Taylor's work in research and development was relevant and in service of the community she served with S.O.A.R. She demonstrated outstanding commitment to ensure group success. Taylor is one whose presence elevates the learning experience for everyone involved. I look forward to how she continues to make her mark in service to Lafayette, Indiana teens, as a sharp researcher, and as a S.O.A.R. leader.
Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D.
Assistant Director, Lead Forward Fellowship