Mary Hale Tolar, a Rhodes and Truman Scholar and director of Kansas State University’s School of Leadership Studies, spoke to N.C. State students today regarding authentic and ethical leadership. 

Rhodes Scholarships are offered to postgraduate students from around the world. If awarded, the student will be given the chance to study at the University of Oxford in England. 

To date, no N.C. State student has ever been named a Rhodes Scholar, which makes this lecture a rare opportunity for students to learn from one. 

Tolar concentrated on one main idea throughout her lecture, which was a unique approach towards leadership—what she called authentic leadership.

“It’s about one’s values and one’s purpose, and it’s also about a narrative,” Tolar said.

Tolar said leaders should be able to confidently share genuine stories about themselves. She said genuine narratives are an act of leadership that give purpose and influences others. A story can be a good indication of someone’s values. 

“Sometimes it’s hard to be true to yourself when you haven’t really figured out who yourself is, but you have dig deep and follow your inner purpose and stick to it,” said Karli Moore, a sophomore in chemistry.

Tolar also talked about the importance of leading ethically and how someone should act according to his or her values. She said differences arise because of differing values, which ultimately form the basis of many political and social debates. 

“To lead ethically requires decisions and actions in response to the world,” Tolar said. “It requires an energetic self-reflection and self-awareness of being part of larger community…resolving dilemmas takes action and requires making a decision.”  

Tolar also talked about the role of a college education and how it contributes to the development of an authentic leader. 

“The college career is about learning, growing…and discovering your purpose,” Tolar said. “The curriculum is designed intentionally to help you through that process…and your professors, club advisors, academic advisors, administrators, staff, etc. all take it as their charge to help you through that process.” 

During her lecture, Tolar talked about what competition creates in a society.

“I was very fond of the ideas about competition,” Moore said. “It’s something I’ve been pondering here at N.C. State and how we can best serve our world.” 

Tolar said a benefit of competition is that it raises aspirations and dedication. However, she said it can also, unfortunately, become more about the competition itself rather than the end purpose. 

“If you lose sight about the opportunity, you might lose the whole trophy thing and pay the price,” Tolar said. 

Colt Bradley, a freshman in physics, said he thought the lecture very interesting.

“I found it very insightful,” Bradly said. “I especially liked the idea of having a story, having something you stand for. It comes from values and from purpose, and I think it’s really important to have that direction and it really shows when you have those opportunities.”