WHEN Dr Ricky Ram joined Leadership Fiji as part of the 2014 cohort, he simply saw it as an opportunity worth exploring.
After being in the public service for many years, he had no idea how much taking up the program would shape the way he viewed leadership, service and his own purpose.
“For me, an opportunity to be part of Leadership Fiji came my way and I took it up,” he recalled.
What followed was an experience that challenged his thinking from the very first workshop.
“From the first few meetings, my eyes were opened and things I experienced were just amazing.”
That first impression marked the beginning of a journey that would bolster not only his leadership style but also the way he serves his community today.
A journey beyond the workplace
For Dr Ram, Leadership Fiji has been more than just workshops and networking.
“It was about learning alongside people from different backgrounds and working together on a shared vision that addressed real community issues.”
His cohort focused on understanding the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Fiji.
Visiting communities across the Northern Division opened his eyes to the barriers many people continue to face every day.
The experience stayed with him long after the program ended.
Today, through his dental clinic in the Hidden Paradise of Savusavu, Dr Ram has been able to provide some free dental treatment for patients with disabilities.
“It’s been a good way to give back to the community because at times we are just focused on the business and work aspect of things. ”
“Leadership Fiji reminded us that we also have to give something back to the community that we are part of and/or has made us successful.”
In the end, what began as a Leadership Fiji project has become a lasting commitment to serving some of the community’s most vulnerable members.
The power of collaboration
One of the biggest lessons Dr Ram took away from Leadership Fiji was the importance of working with others.
“For many years, I’d been working in isolation,” he said.
“Leadership Fiji taught me the value of collaboration and working together.”
Building strong networks, he explained, allowed leaders to achieve far more than they would on their own.
“It’s always good to have a good network. It really streamlines things and you’re able to achieve much more. In isolation, you wouldn’t really be able to achieve a lot.”
The program also strengthened his communication skills and taught him the importance of approaching challenges with the right mindset.
Just as importantly, it reminded him to slow down.
“Sometimes we just have to learn to be grateful for the things around us and give ourselves a break from all the work that we do so we can recharge ourselves before continuing.”
Finding confidence and clarity
Leadership Fiji also helped Dr Ram better understand his own purpose as a leader.
“I think there’s been a boost in my confidence level,” he said.
“It has enabled me to see the purpose that I have and what I’m actually trying to achieve. That’s much more streamlined for me now.”
Rather than changing how he interacts with patients, colleagues and the wider community, he believes the program has strengthened the relationships he had already been building.
“It has not only really changed it, it has strengthened it too.”
Advocating for an inclusive Fiji
The disability project remains one of the most meaningful parts of Dr Ram’s Leadership Fiji experience. Travelling through the Northern Division, the team witnessed firsthand how difficult everyday life can be for persons with disabilities.
“It was sad to see the level of community engagement,” he reflected.
Simple things that many people take for granted — boarding a bus, accessing health facilities, moving around town in a wheelchair or finding accessible transport — are still significant challenges for many Fijians living with disabilities.
As a Leadership Fiji alumnus, Dr Ram believes creating a more inclusive society should remain a national priority.
“We need to build an inclusive environment where persons with disabilities are able to access health services and basic services. Being able to catch a cab, have a reserved seat on a bus or access public spaces shouldn’t be difficult.”
His advocacy continues through both his professional work and his involvement in the community.
Leadership in medicine requires looking after yourself
Working in healthcare presents its own unique leadership challenges. According to Dr Ram, one of the biggest pressures facing medical professionals today is burnout.
“Most people are overworked in the Ministry of Health and they don’t give themselves personal time to heal.”
Every day, healthcare workers witness trauma and carry those experiences with them long after their shifts end.
“At times, you need to give yourself a break and reset yourself to face the daily challenges.”
He believes programs like Leadership Fiji provide leaders with valuable opportunities to step away from their daily responsibilities, reflect and return with renewed purpose.
Leaders lead by example
When asked what qualities define a good leader, Dr Ram’s answer was straightforward.
“The first thing is that you should have good, effective communication skills.”
But beyond communication, he believes authenticity matters most.
“You should be able to do what you are preaching. Practise what you preach first. We cannot be enforcing things on our peers while we are not following the same path. We should actually be role models for our peers and for those younger than us.”
Leadership doesn’t end
at the clinic
Dr Ram sees little distinction between professional leadership and community leadership.
As a medical professional, he believes people naturally look to healthcare workers for guidance both inside and outside the clinic.
“The level of professionalism and leadership is generally the same across the board because people look up to us as medical professionals.”
Maintaining that balance, he says, is simply part of serving the community.
Advice for emerging leaders
For young professionals searching for direction, Dr Ram believes Leadership Fiji offers an ideal environment to discover purpose while developing practical leadership skills.
“I would like to encourage young leaders and people who are still trying to figure out what their purpose is. Leadership Fiji is a good platform where you can give yourself a break, and at the same time you’ll be able to understand these things better.”
His advice for future leaders is grounded in perseverance.
“Stay focused. Set short-term and long-term goals.”
Failures, he says, should never define a person’s future.
“If things don’t work out, it doesn’t mean you won’t succeed. Come back to the drawing board, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and rebuild from there.”
A lasting impact
More than a decade after completing the program, Dr Ricky Ram continues to carry the lessons of Leadership Fiji into his profession and community.
Whether it’s advocating for greater inclusion, providing free dental care to patients with disabilities or mentoring the next generation of leaders, his leadership is driven by service rather than title. As he reflects on his Leadership Fiji journey, his gratitude is evident.
“I would like to wish Leadership Fiji all the best with its future projects, and I would like to thank them for the opportunity to be part of the Leadership Fiji alumni.”
In the end, leadership from Dr Ram’s perspective should not be weighed by position or recognition.
“It is measured by the difference we make in the lives of others,” he said.
Dr Ram runs the private dental practice, Savusavu Dental Centre in the Hidden Paradise. He is also an alumni of FAAA Reflective Leadership 2024.
Dr Ricky Ram believes leadership is about bringing about changes in the lives of others. Picture: SUPPLIED
