A TRUE leader is someone who earns respect through their words, deeds and action — a servant who brings peers and colleagues along with gentle persuasion and intellectual discussion.
This message was uttered by Education Minister Rosy Akbar, as a chief guest, during the prefects induction held by schools in the Western Division.
This sentiment, however, is indeed true and does not apply to school prefects only but to our country and community as a whole.
Leaders are chosen in workplaces, schools and in many other institutions because they have been entrusted to carry out the work and deliver to the
best of their ability.
As leaders, it is important that others come first before them.
They have been chosen to look after the needs and welfare of the community or workplace they represent.
They are also the trusted people who can keep things running smoothly in any organisation.
“They inspire others to follow their footsteps and become the guiding light for the humanity,” Ms Akbar said.
A great leader is someone who carries the torch of wisdom and enlightens the society thereby leading people to the path of progress and growth.
“Besides, the true meaning of leadership is having the requisite ability to enable people to want to follow you while being under no compulsion as such to do so.”
The Education Minister said leaders were those people who set certain benchmarks and tried to achieve them by allowing people to judge them according to their actions and endevours.
Ms Akbar said leaders communicated with impact and led a life of service, amplifying strengths and identified and addressed weaknesses sensitively.
Leaders in any organisation are those people we can rely on when they go through difficulties, they understand any situation and are able to solve
matters and differences in the best, possible manner.
Leaders are the reasons people enjoy working in an organisation or living in a community.
They are able to control any situation with the best decision and a decision that every other person will respect at the end of the day.
They make decisions to be in the best interest of all stakeholders.
They also commit themselves to working for other people and put their duty as the main focus rather than their own personal glory.
Mrs Akbar also reminded students that effective leaders were positive role models who leave behind them a legacy.
If every leader follows the core values of being a good leader, there should never be a problem of making Fiji the way the world should be.
