Nurturing Growth, Fostering Success

The sun has begun its descent on my year long journey as the #president of our university’s Business Student Committee and as of mid-October, our #team intends on passing on the baton to the next team. With all the memories, lessons and incredible experiences whirring past, I have enjoyed taking time off just to collect my thoughts and reflect on how I have grown as a #leader. From our very first day in our probationary term to the culminating event of today’s orientation for the latest intake of students (August 2023), this path has been one of growth, challenges and road bumps. The following lessons that I’ve penned down are testament to anything and everything that I have gained as well as all of the wisdom that I have accumulated across the year.

1. Leadership is a Never-ending Process

Getting a certificate that states the completion of my presidential term is not the end of my leadership experience. Despite sounding cliche, leadership isn’t a pretty destination but a bumpy road. Presidency demanded resilience, open-mindedness and the ability to have a hold on the rest of the committee. I had to convince my team that I was enough to lead by example and take on feedback without holding a grudge against any of them. It was never about having all the answers for my team but instead, finding the solutions together.

2. Collaborative Synergy

Collaboration has become the key to success in the world of committee work. The committee was made up of students with various academic backgrounds, objectives, and life experiences. Utilizing this diversity produced original concepts and well-rounded event planning. The relevance of inclusivity in attaining extraordinary results was highlighted by the distinct perspectives each member brought to the table.

3. Embracing Resilience in the Face of Challenges

In no way was being the president or even being part of the committee a breeze. Organizing events, workshops, and seminars came with its share of hurdles. We had it all from committee members having petty issues amidst themselves to logistical mishaps to completely unforeseen circumstances. As they say, from the ashes a fire shall be awoken and sure enough, the committee took notes of where they committed errors and made the necessary corrections. In these moments, adaptability was the biggest tool that I could make use of. From logistical mishaps to unforeseen circumstances, I discovered that adaptability and resilience were my greatest allies. There were moments when plans went awry, but maintaining composure and finding alternative solutions not only salvaged situations but also imparted valuable crisis management skills.

4. Communication

For obvious reasons, #communication acted as an excellent glue that really held our team together. One of the first things that I implemented was an environment that every member should feel heard. We would try and have meetings as often as possible, preferably on an alternate weekly basis (unless urgent circumstances arose). Phone communication was at an all time high with an extremely active WhatsApp group assuring me that everyone was on the same page at all times.

5. Learning beyond Classrooms

Being a part of this prestigious team reinforced the fact that education definitely goes beyond the borders of a traditional classroom. Over this past year alone, I have coordinated 3 Vietnamese and Indonesian cultural exchanges, blood drives with the National Blood Bank, a collaboration with an NGO in support of healthcare for migrant workers as well as numerous orientations such as the likes of the culminating orientation of this week (August 2023 intake). Being a part of the Business Student Committee really helped bridge the gap between academia and the real world.

6. Personal Growth

While the role of presidency may be one of guiding others, I found myself honing a number of skills as well. Time management, decision making and reasoning were all skills that I honed over the year. An even bigger personal learning was the art of balancing academics, personal life along with the committee as this really underscored the importance of effective multitasking.

7. Celebrating Milestones

Recognizing and celebrating achievements, big or small, made such an impact on the team’s motivation levels. Whether it was the successful execution of an event, achieving an event’s target audience or even just the celebration of a member’s birthday, acknowledging these milestones united the team and fuelled a sense of accomplishment. Just recently, my own secretary took a leap of faith and sent in an application for opening her own club. Yesterday, she stood in front of a crowd as the club’s president. It is moments like these that really bring the team together and in turn, these moments give committee members a chance to really cheer each other on.

8. Legacy

With my term drawing to a close, the importance of succession planning has hit me harder than ever. Handing over the responsibilities to the incoming batch ensures a seamless transition for them to step into their new roles and preserves what the Business Student Committee stands for. This is an incredibly important mission for our current team as it is an area that made us an extremely shaky committee near the start of the year. Sharing insights and experiences would greatly benefit the incoming team, allowing them to get a clear idea of what they’re in for.

To wrap it up, my tenure as the president of our university's business student committee has been an incredibly transformative experience. The lessons I've learned, the relationships I've forged, and the challenges I've overcome have enriched my personal and professional journey. I'm profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have made a positive impact and contributed to the growth of future business leaders. As I step away from this role, I carry with me a treasure trove of memories and lessons that will undoubtedly continue to shape my path ahead.

If I could speak to my position, I’d really just have to say thank you for the sleepless nights, the shared dreams, and the unspoken understanding that bound the team together. We've laughed, we've struggled, and we've grown – not just as individuals, but as a united force striving for excellence.