The Student Leader 4

Welcome back! I appreciate your kind wishes on my special feature in October.

As we head towards the front door of this edifice, let us be reminded of the rooms we visited. In the first, we got to understand who a student leader is. In the second, we looked at the motives of (aspiring) student leaders. The third drew our attention to the issue of boundaries in student leadership. As we proceed to the fourth, consider sharing this series with other student leaders. This will be a two-part show; we will examine rest and interpersonal relations.

Starting with rest, there is a tendency for people to contemplate running away from their duties. This is caused by chronic stress, overwhelm and their effects (reduced productivity, rebuke from superiors, strain in interpersonal or cross-team relations, self-criticism e.t.c). It is often the case that we do not plan to re-invigorate ourselves as we work. We tend to wait till a (near) fatal breakdown before we optimise our lifestyles. This is inadvisable for student leaders, especially because it is easy for any lapse in their duties to dampen their (esteem and) grades, upset their interactions in school, lead to negative self-talk or even mean an extra year.

Rest is not the enemy of work; each student leader must find a way to infuse rest into work. How? Give yourself – and stick to – time frames for tasks and sleep, each day. Engage in games and chats with other leaders and your team. Spend time with friends, who may not have titles but who share your values.

When relating with others, respect, empathy and discipline are the codes. No matter how ‘low’ the title, every student leader possesses human dignity which must never be undermined. I have been in situations – and seen other student leaders there – where it is easier to snap at a teammate or wave away a student who needs help, rather than take deep breaths and calmly respond.

I can imagine you shrug and say, ‘Everyone will make mistakes.’ You may slip up some times, but it should neither become a habit nor take too long to correct it. Being a student leader places you on a pedestal which makes your flaws visible to others. It’s scary but true. This is not about false packaging, but about ensuring your behaviour increases your chances for recommendations.

An extra treat:
Training and mentorship help to refine your character and master better leadership. Did you smirk? It’s a high calling, I assure you. The more you pour into others, the more you must refill yourself. You tend to be level-headed when you follow while you lead; you get to inspire and influence others while watching someone else do it. Thus, you appreciate the experience better.

‘What next?’
You will keep hearing this question, as you wrap up each phase in your life. Never run off to make any decision, without careful reflection and divine guidance. Your life is a serious project; don’t spend it proving a point! Ensuring that it works well – through a carefully designed system that involves others – is a gift that only you can give yourself.

See you in 2025!

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Gbemisola Oluwasina (Elegant Inker) has helped 10+ brands, authors and writers to accelerate their visibility, influence and profit through intentional writing services and coaching. Her work spans: content strategy consultation, content writing, editing and proofreading. She has had her poems and articles published in magazines.

Gbemisola is blessed with a voice that enriches what she says. She has honoured 20+ speaking invitations in the last 4 years. These engagements covered topics around: writing, social media positioning, education, public speaking, (self) leadership, the Christian faith and albinism. She looks forward to more of these, as well as to features in broadcast media and TED(x).

A recent graduate of International Relations from Covenant University where she served in various capacities, Gbemisola has received numerous certificates and awards. She is an ardent believer in individual responsibility and a budding project manager. She is a lover of Abba and of the progress of others. She likes to learn other languages and make beaded articles.

Email: gbemisolaoluwasina@gmail.com
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