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Become a Dynamic, resolute and Vibrant Leader

Sharing my experiences as an inspirational lecturer  

By : Maruthai Ravindhiran

Our Children are the greatest assets that we could possess during our life time.

They face many challenges in this ever changing world. I am glad to penning down my thoughts and advice to equip themselves to meet the challenges successfully and seize the opportunities that may arise from those challenges. This article aims at transforming today’s students as dynamic, resolute and Vibrant leaders who could bring glory to our Motherland, in the future.

DEFINITION AND THE QUALITIES OF TRUE LEADERSHIP:

In my humble opinion the pre-requisite to be a successful, dynamic, effective and efficient student leader is to be courageous and excellent communicator. If you can communicate well, you can lead.

I have learnt that the “True leadership is a fire in the mind…..It is a strength of purpose and belief in a cause that reaches out to others, touches their hearts, and makes them eager to follow”.

A “L-E-A-D-E-R”, has to Lead by examples, Enthustiastic, Achiever, Decisive, Encourage team members and Ready to learn and Teach. In order to carry out these functions he or she needs to a effective communicator.

Effective leaders typically possess varied traits, and no single leader can have a complete set of characteristics that is appropriate for handling any problem, challenge, or opportunity that comes along.

A leader has to be bold, Charismatic, self confident, Team Player, Caring and Sharing, Empathetic, Transparent in dealings and Manage time wisely and considerate to his or her fellow members.Some are born leaders and others are made as leaders.

A leader should focus on success and view failure as unfinished success and implement contingency plans and succeed in his or her endeavours. Should success follows the endeavours it has to be considered as a “Win” and if not it has to be considered as a “Gain”. In other words a lesson learnt and experience gained for future success.

YOUR MOTTO FOR SUCCESS:

Your motto in life has to be, “Be Prepared & think and Act now”. Your policy in life is to have a “growth mindset”. You should always focus on “Continuous Improvement and Self Development”.

You have to follow the cardinal rules during your childhood. Those are Responsibility, Respect and Obedience, which are considered as the Triangle of Student duties. Your prime objective has to be on Learning and growing.The Great Tamil Poet and Philosopher, Auvvaiyar has adviced us to “ Be focused on Learning even at 100th year.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME MANAGEMENT:

Time Management is vital and detrimental for your success and future.

Never say that you do not have sufficient time. Let me prove that you have sufficient time.

We may expect that on an average one could live up to minimum of 70-75 years If you are 15 years of old, then you have 1,892,160,000 seconds of time ahead of you ( 75-15=60years × 365 days × 24 hours × 60 minutes × 60 seconds).

Now tell me whether you have sufficient time or not. My other question is what are you going to do during that time period.

VISION AND MISSION FOR YOUR LIFE:

I strongly recommend you to have a “Vision and Mission statement” for your life.

Your Parents, Elders, Principals, Mentors and Teachers could guide you for to have such statement. Ask your self the following questions right now; Where am I in life now?

Where do I want to go in life? How do I get there? What time period should I take to reach that particular position? What resources do I need? Who could help me?What are the contingency plans?What will I do after reaching that desired position?

You should have a vibrant plan coupled with goals and objectives. Most importantly
“planning is vital for your success”. “Plans are nothing and Planning is everything”.

In marching towards victory as a leader you need to have implicit faith in you, your god and destiny. Always love our Almighty God for who he is? And not for what he can do.

Do not pray for power, possessions, authority and wealth. Rather pray for wisdom, serenity,tranquility and peace. At home make it a habit to pray with your family members.

Love thyself, family, friends, neighbours, relatives, community, society and Country.

MY THOUGHTS ON OVERCOMING STRESS:

You may have to face the problems such as Stress, anxiety and depression in your life.

You have to overcome your limitations and failures. Thus, Stress too has to be overcome.

People today talk about managing stress.Lectures, Seminars and workshops are conducted on stress management. Little stress is not that bad for you.Rather it will propel you to act.Too much of it is not good for your mind and body.

In my humble opinion you need to endeavour to successfully overcome stress and not merely manage it. Do not worry if you are too tall, too short, too fat, too thin and white or black in complexion. None of them is needed to be a leader. Always “feel good” about your body, mind and spirit.If you take the Animal kingdom, Cheetah is the fastest, Blue whale is the heaviest, Chimpanzee is the smartest, Owl is the wisest, Peacock is the prettiest, Giraffe is the tallest and Elephant is the majestic, but none of them is the king of the animal kingdom. Lion which does not have any of these qualities is the king.

So do not focus on what you do not possess and focus on your abilities and capabilities.

Then you too could become a leader. Seek the support of your mentor to be guided and advised during tough times. Changes are inevitable in your life. Do not resist change. Accept changes and embrace it. If you do not see any changes then create the changes. Change is not equivalent to Pain. It is equivalent to Growth and prosperity.

BECOME NO.1 AND RETAIN THE POSITION:

In order to be no.1 you need to be creative and innovative. As a leader you should create, implement, evaluate and manage changes. Becoming No 1 in your scope of activities is one thing and it is good secure that position. But, the most important thing to keep in your mind is that you need to retain that position, in order to be a Great Achiever, in your life.

To be a great Achiever, you need to work laboriously, tirelessly and with razor Sharp focus, unwavering commitment, confidence, dedication, determination, discipline and diligence. Also, the other important factors to focus on are “ being resilient” and “persevere”, till you succeed.

BEST AMBITION FOR YOUR LIFE:

During my seminars for the students and teachers, I used to ask my students the question on there ambition in life.

Some want to be doctors, some want to be engineers, some want to be managers, some want to be IT specialists, a few want to be space travellers and most of them want to be teachers and the list goes on. But none of them want to be a happiest or joyful person throughout their life.

Happiness and joyfulness are not the same. Happiness is transient which comes from getting tangible things externally such as getting a new phone and having a hearty meal or a chocolate bar.

You will be generally tempted to have more and more. By doing so you may end up with stomach ailments and the happiness eludes you. But Joy is an internal affair. Such as getting good marks and rewards and getting appreciated for your efforts, kind words and deeds and having a good understanding and relationship with your elders, teachers, parents, siblings and friends. Doing charity work and social work. Helping others, Reading books,doing volunteer work, gardening, swimming, engaging in sports, listening to music and praying with your family as well as quality time spent with your family members and friends. So focus on being joyful. Also, be Contented with what you have.

CONCLUSION :

I hope that I have opened your eyes to the fact of dynamic leadership as well as meaningful and vibrant living. By following the above not only you will be benefitted but also you will have a productive and prosperous life.

You are the future of our Motherland as well as the leaders who are born to do yeomen service to our nation and by and large to this universe. You are really a treasure trove for our country.

I kindly request the next generation to bring glory to your Family, School and Motherland and make your parents, principals, teachers, elders, mentors, siblings, relatives and friends delighted and proud of you for your achievements and continuous growth.

May Almighty God bless you, your Families and work.

Maruthai Ravindhiran is a Language Specialist and Professional Marketer, Specialist in Professional Communication Skills, Group Communication Skills and Presentation Skills.

He is also an English Teacher, Inspirational lecturer, Life Transformational and life Management Coach.

He was the former Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Blue and White Newsletter Committee, Old Boys’ Union, St.Joseph’s College, Colombo 10.

Ravindhiran is eligible to follow the Certified Professional Marketer programme the highest recognition awarded to the Marketers in the Asian region by the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF).

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