On Becoming a Leader

My internship credit at University of Michigan-Dearborn depends on two factors: (1) performance at Eisbrenner (in terms of university guidelines) and (2) fulfilling the obligations of my co-op seminar. The seminar includes reading multiple texts, writing learning objectives, end-of-term essays and in-class participation.

One of these assigned books includes On Becoming a Leader (Warren Bennis). I highly recommend this because it offers internship/co-op students knowledge of the leadership characteristics they aim to acquire or may already possess. These are: the need for education -- both formal and informal; the need to unlearn so that you can learn (this is especially true for multiple intern/co-op students); the need to reflect on learning; the need to take risks, make mistakes; and for mastery at the task at hand. Bennis also goes on to say that ultimately becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself.

This cannot be gained in one internship, possibly not even in multiple internships, but I think it exemplifies the ultimate goal of any career-based person. Any student within an internship program is already taking steps to achieve competence in their field. Are there any reading materials you would recommend to someone just beginning their career?