7 Things That Can Make or Break MSAs (Muslim Student Associations)

Strong Personalities

Many organizations have someone who has a very strong personality. This isn’t inherently positive or negative. A strong leader can provide an ambitious vision and have the skills required to achieve the fulfillment of that vision. However, some strong personalities may stifle creative thought and prevent others from being more engaged. It seems every masjid has “that one uncle” who only supports his own ideas and seems to berate every idea that isn’t his. Some might be able to roll their eyes at such antics, but others may feel so frustrated and drained that they retreat entirely.

If said personality is in an organization you run, the best thing to do can be to acknowledge their contributions and be intentional in giving others the opportunity to be involved. However, you might find that this strong personality occasionally needs to be confronted. Not only does this require a lot of courage, but also restraint. These individuals can be great assets, but they have to be engaged in a way that allows them to feel heard but also prevents them from trampling others.