Lessons Learned as a Professional from recent Presidential Election @SL

Sri Lanka has democratically elected their 9th Executive president in this week. This clearly defines a change in the political arena for sure. And as professionals we can absorb few lessons to shape up our career. Let's explore on those and why I have highlighted this as a significant milestone for the country.

Why this can be considered as a significant milestone in the recent political history of Sri Lanka

After the independence in 1948 we were having number of elections at following levels:

1. Presidential Elections
2. Parliament Elections
3. Provincial Councils
4. Local Councils

Refer to the history and overview here

For the past 76 years the power has been changed between two political parties (There were different alliances and names but they were descending from those two parties). In this last presidential election the 3rd force of the country (they have been the third force for may be over 50 years - as per my knowledge) has won. They were having votes around 4% in the previous presidential election which was held in 2019. Bringing that 4% upto 55% (after 2nd and 3rd votes) within 5 years time was a remarkable achievement. So let's see what are the lessons that we can acquire as professionals.

Key Lessons for professionals

Never lose your core values

In any professional journey, it’s essential to stay true to your core values. Whether it's integrity, quality, customer focus, or innovation, your core values serve as a guiding compass. They help professionals make tough decisions, maintain credibility, and build long-lasting relationships, even in the face of challenges or opportunities that might tempt you to compromise.

At times it could be difficult to hold on to your core values such as integrity, honesty, etc. But as a professional you should never degrade your quality or how you react to such situations. Upholding your values at difficult times will carve you as a great leader. As a result, in the long run you will be able to build your reputation in the professional arena.

Don't give up

Persistence is key to success in any profession. Challenges, failures, and obstacles are inevitable, but those who maintain their focus and keep pushing forward are more likely to succeed. Whether it's overcoming project delays, market changes, or personal setbacks, staying resilient and refusing to give up can lead to breakthroughs and long-term achievements. Never lose your hope. Keep your hopes alive even when it is not delivering the results you want. One day all those sacrifices will be paid off with interest for sure.

Adaptability

In any highly volatile environment, whether political or business-related, professionals must be agile and ready to execute strategies quickly in response to the changing conditions. This is more critical in project management, where project timelines, scopes, or objectives may need to adjust based on internal and external pressures.

Ethical Leadership and Integrity

Ethical leadership remains as the foundation of success in any field. Upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability will strengthen the trust with clients, employees, and stakeholders.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Resilience is key in professional life. Being able to bounce back from setbacks, and maintain focus in difficult situations can determine long-term success.

Strong Leadership

Strong leadership is crucial in any professional environment. Whether you're leading a team, managing a project, or driving a company’s strategic vision, effective leadership involves guiding others, making tough decisions, and inspiring confidence. A great leader not only sets direction but also motivates and empowers their team to achieve shared goals, especially during times of change or adversity.

Conclusion

In summary, I have considered these as the SIX key learnings that a professional could grasp. You may be having different thoughts on this. Let's discuss. Please note that I am not promoting any political party or political figure here. I have just gathered my thoughts as an observer.

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