TRANSFORMING YOUTH TO GREAT LEADERS

FERNAN O. DEALCA

While reading some stuffs about leadership, I came across with this definition written by Dr. Myles Munroe: “Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by passion, generated by vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose”

The definition of leadership may come in different interpretations such as leadership to change, leadership to influence, leadership in education and transformational leadership. But what inspired me to work on the quotation of Dr. Munroe is that leadership has the power to influence others to be leaders on their own.

Leaders have to power to influence through inspiration and that is by being a role model to many if not to all. How will you inspire others to become great leaders if you do not possess the qualities of a great leader? Then, you must be motivated by passion. The passion to lead others in the service of the nation is a way on how you will inspire others. It must be accompanied by a vision — something that we look forward too. Moreover, the vision must be accompanied by a mission which will lead to a more concrete action through projects and programs.

Influence others through Inspiration

It is very difficult to inspire other people to follow your goal and to do what is right and beneficial to all. Being an inspiration to many requires a lot from a leader because the leader is seen to be the role model of the group. There are a lot of sacrifices such as time where you already spend a lot, even Saturdays and Sundays, doing related works for your projects than spending your time with other leisure works or have fun with your family. However, the things that you do will inspire other people to support your advocacies as a leader and eventually build the culture of leadership as you inspire them to become leaders in the future. Be an inspiration to all! Influence others through inspiration!

Motivated by Passion, Generated by Vision

What motivates you to do something? Is it really what you want or you are just doing it because it is required?

Vallerand (2012) in his study, “The role of passion in sustainable psychological well-being” defines PASSION as “a strong inclination toward self-defining activity that people like (or even love), find important, and in which they invest time and energy on a regular basis.”

As a leader, motivation is very important to keep the burning spirit to become alive; to give light to others and to keep the warmth inside the hearts of the young leaders. There must be the passion. There must be the burning passion to lead the young ones for the fulfilment of a certain goal and towards the attainment of the vision and mission. One must be passionate to what he/ she is doing. One must love the works of being a leader by investing time, energy and effort. One must be motivated by our passion, generated by vision.

Produced by a Conviction, Ignited by a Purpose

Everything happens for a reason and living on earth has a purpose. A leader must have a clear idea of his purpose as a leader. Purpose becomes the intersection of one’s God-given strengths, talents and abilities, with their values, their passions, and their legacy they would like to leave (Deterding, 2014).

When a leader is driven by a purpose, the vision will turn into reality and their passion in doing what they love to do becomes an integral part of their lives. This will drive their conviction to do more and to reach for more because of the purpose that they have.

Leadership is all about having a purpose and through our conviction, our passion, our commitment, others will be inspired.

If this nation will continue to build a culture of leadership among our youth, having the purpose of uplifting the quality of life of Filipinos, we are assured of a bright future ahead

— oOo—

The author is Teacher II/SSG Adviser at Frances National High School