In the last article, we met a key player in the field of education; the student leader. Few people understand his or her relevance to the school experience. In fact, there are issues – peculiar to him or her – which must be swept from under the carpet. As we begin the next part of the conversation, it is worthy of note that a student leader is a person of influence – within a community of learners in a school – who may or may not occupy an office.
The essence of this series of articles is to help (aspiring as well as current) student leaders realise – so they can effectively manage – the factors within their control, so they can make true impact.
The first area we will look at is motive. Simply put, a motive refers to a reason for doing something. In this context, motive refers to the reason a student chooses to grow his or her influence (especially in terms of accepting an appointment into, or applying/contesting for, a student leadership office). I have realised that every office is a ‘reward’ for and a test of competence. Thus, it is not advisable to step into any office because of how lofty the title sounds or how nice it would look on the CV of the occupant. This is a shallow view, in my estimation.
Every student leader needs to have a strong conviction as regards taking up any (titled or untitled) role, especially because there will be some unfavourable or unpleasant stops on the journey. The one thing that keeps a true leader going – especially when superiors, team members and others are drifting – is a vivid clarification of his or her ‘why.’ There is a tendency for students not to handle leadership roles well if they do not have a motive of service and a strong conviction of the value they can add. Even the most convinced leader will face challenges; imagine, then, how fiercely a minor obstacle can shake the ill-prepared!
Here are some guiding questions:
What makes that office appeal to you? Did you get a divine instruction to apply or contest for it? Did you see a gap that you believe you could fill? Were you coerced into contesting or applying? Did you feel that you owed someone a favour? Do you intend to use your time in office to execute revenge? Will your conviction, as regards the value of your role in the office, be strong enough to carry you through the not-so-palatable process of personal transformation that leadership entails?
It is crucial to get your motive right, from the beginning. This is because it will be tested throughout your tenure. People will look down on your abilities. Superiors will try to catch you off guard. Factors outside your control may militate against your leadership success. A solid understanding of why you are in office will guide your decisions, actions and inactions. The way you play your role is a model (whether you like it or not) for other (aspiring) student leaders.
Remember,
‘Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.’ Jack Welch
Gbemisola Oluwasina is also known as Elegant Inker. She is committed to helping (personal, business, corporate) brands accelerate their visibility, influence and profit through writing services and coaching. These areas of service and coaching range from: creative writing, content writing, editing and proofreading, ghost writing, content strategy consultation, transcription to copy writing. She has worked with 10+ brands, authors and writers. She has had her poems and articles published in magazines, too.
______________________ Gbemisola is blessed with a voice that enriches what she says. She has honoured 20+ virtual speaking invitations from 2020 till date. These engagements covered topics around: writing, content creation, online business, social media positioning, public speaking, (self) leadership, the Christian faith and albinism. She looks forward to more of these, as well as to features in the media and TED(X). Gbemisola is a student of International Relations at Covenant University who has had the privilege of occupying different leadership offices. She is a recipient of numerous certificates and awards. She is an ardent believer that individuals are responsible for the achievement of organisational and national goals. She is a lover of Abba and of the progress of others. She likes to sing, learn other languages and make beaded articles. She Ioves the colours, purple and lemon. Email: gbemisolaoluwasina@gmail.com YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn: Gbemisola Oluwasina Telegram channel, Instagram and Facebook pages: Elegant Inker.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
