In Search of Excellence in Leadership

Become a Dynamic, resolute and Vibrant Leader

Our children are the most precious assets we possess in our lifetime. They confront numerous challenges in this ever-evolving world, and I am delighted to share my thoughts and advice to help them prepare to face these challenges successfully and seize the opportunities they present. This message aims to nurture future leaders who can bring honor to our motherland.

In my humble opinion, the prerequisite for becoming a successful, dynamic, effective, and efficient leader is the ability to be courageous and an excellent communicator. Effective communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership.

I have come to understand that true leadership is like a fire in the mind—a strength of purpose and belief in a cause that reaches out to others, touches their hearts, and inspires them to follow.

A true leader, often represented by the acronym “L-E-A-D-E-R,” must lead by example, be enthusiastic, achieve results, make decisive decisions, encourage team members, and be ready to both learn and teach. To fulfill these roles effectively, one must be an adept communicator.

Becoming Effective Leaders:

Effective leaders possess a range of traits, and no single leader can have a complete set of characteristics to handle every problem, challenge, or opportunity that arises. A leader should be bold, charismatic, self-confident, a team player, caring, empathetic, transparent in dealings, and wise in time management. Some are born leaders, while others are made through experience and learning.

A leader must focus on success and view failure as a step towards success. Failure should be seen as unfinished success, an opportunity to learn and grow for future achievements.

Your life motto should be “Be Prepared and Act Now.” Cultivate a “growth mindset” and always strive for continuous improvement and self-development. During your childhood, prioritise the cardinal values of Responsibility, Respect, and Obedience, known as the Triangle of Student Duties. Your primary objective should be learning and personal growth. As the great Tamil poet and philosopher Auvvaiyar advised, “Be focused on learning even at 100 years old.”

As a student leader, emphasize the following core values to become successful and effective leaders: Education, Excellence, Learning, Community, Integrity, Individuality, Diversity, Compassion, Selfreflection, Responsibility, Resilience, Respect, Obedience, Happiness, Ambition, Tolerance, Honesty, and Perseverance.

Don’t wait for happiness to come to you; create your happiness by helping others. In my humble opinion and experience, when you make others happy by assisting them, your own happiness and joy will multiply over time.

My simple advice to you is to “go the extra mile.” By doing so, you may be rewarded handsomely sooner or later in life. To achieve this, avoid adopting the attitude of “thus far, no further.”

Time Management:

Effective time management is crucial for your success and future. Never claim that you don’t have enough time. Let me prove to you that you have ample time. On average, one can expect to live for at least 70-75 years. If you are 15 years old, you have approximately 1,892,160,000 seconds of time ahead of you (75 - 15 = 60 years x 365 days x 24 hours x 60 minutes x 60 seconds). Now, ask yourself what you plan to do with that time.

I strongly recommend creating a “Vision and Mission statement” for your life. Seek guidance from your parents, elders, principals, mentors, and teachers to formulate this statement. Ask yourself where you are in life now, where you want to go, how to get there, the time needed to reach your goals, necessary resources, potential helpers, contingency plans, and post-achievement plans.

Develop a comprehensive plan with goals and objectives, remembering that “planning is vital for your success.” Plans themselves may change, but the act of planning is a constant. On your journey to victory as a leader, have faith in yourself, your higher power, and your destiny. Love and appreciate our Almighty God for who He is, not just for what He can do. Pray for wisdom, serenity, tranquility, and peace rather than power, possessions, authority, or wealth. Make it a habit to pray with your family at home.

Overcoming Stress:

You may encounter stress, anxiety, and depression in life. You must learn to overcome your limitations and failures, including stress. Some stress can motivate action, but excessive stress can be detrimental to your well-being.

In my humble opinion, it’s essential to strive to overcome stress successfully, not merely manage it. Don’t worry about your physical appearance; being a leader does not depend on your height, weight, or complexion. Focus on feeling good about your body, mind, and spirit. Just as in the animal kingdom, where each species excels in different ways, you too have unique abilities that can make you a leader. Seek the guidance of mentors during tough times.

Change is inevitable in life; embrace it rather than resisting it. Change is not equivalent to pain; it signifies growth and prosperity. To become a leader, you must be creative and innovative, creating, implementing, evaluating, and managing change.

During my seminars, I often ask students about their life ambitions. While many aspire to be doctors, engineers, managers, IT specialists, and more, very few mention their desire to be the happiest or most joyful person throughout their lives. Remember that happiness comes from within—achievements, kind words, good relationships, and meaningful activities can bring joy. So, focus on being joyful and content with what you have.

In conclusion, I hope this message has opened your eyes to the dynamic nature of leadership and the potential for a meaningful and fulfilling life. By following the principles outlined above, not only will you benefit personally, but you will also contribute to a productive and prosperous society.

You are the future of our motherland and the leaders destined to serve our nation and the world. You are a treasure trove for our country. I implore the next generation to bring glory to your family, school, and motherland, making your parents, principals, teachers, elders, mentors, siblings, relatives, and friends proud of your achievements and continuous growth.

Wishing you all a Happy Children’s Day!

May Almighty God bless you, your families, and your endeavors.