STUDENT-LEADERSHIP PART 1

      STUDENT-LEADERSHIP PART 1

Leadership is not ruler-ship; neither is it dictator-ship. Yes, it comes with power and authority to rule and dictate, but this does not necessarily mean that’s all we do as leaders or as successful leaders. We must understand that as leaders we are only successful if our followers are successful. This is when we can say we have led as we ought to. This concept of Leadership cuts across various walks of life; we have the political, religious leadership, organizations and firms, markets, even those that exist in the student body. And the truth here is: at these different levels, similar things happen, similar events unfold. One may say “at least I am just a leader in this little firm and can do whatever it is I like; I am not one of our political leaders who steal government funds”. My friends, it’s all a lie. If you are a Leader with a mentality like this in the very little you have been given to control, this is what you will also be when you are handed such opportunities. Our Leaders in the political sector of our great country did not just start out as heads of our nation; it all began with a story or the other - a Leadership story, maybe when they were students, in their communities, religious groups, foundations and all. The proof of their effectiveness back then is what we see as their actions in the political sector today. Hence it is important that we look at this otherwise “not-regarded” concept of Student-Leadership. 

Leadership as we will come to know can be regarded as a SCHOOL. The first level in this school of leadership is the positional level. This is the level where every leader starts from. Every true leader has passed through certain stages before they become who they are. Thus, we will be dealing with Student's leadership, the first stage of leadership. How a student can develop into a true leader?We must have an understanding by now that while men are born, leaders are made. Though we all can possess potentials that make us right for a leadership position, but they need to be cultivated in order for us to emerge. Therefore, it is right to say that Leadership or Leadership skills are developed, acquired or nurtured over time. This also has much to do with taking up leadership roles as students whether primary, secondary or tertiary levels. We understand from scriptures that the power to lead and dominate has been given to every man from the beginning. God blessed us with this great potential and showed us how to nurture it so we can produce the “goodly” fruits he expects from us. 

In this school of leadership, you graduate from one level to another level; and as important a school as it is, if you fail a particular level, it is important that you attend again. But if you do not; all you will achieve or become at the end is the opposite of True Leadership, because you have not learnt your A, B, C’s well.

To be continued.

The Men That Lead

Building Manhood