I first learned basic leadership
skills when I became the class secretary. That was when I practiced talking to
both classmates and teachers. Later, at university, I became the class
representative, which taught me about how the system worked in my department.
My skills grew even more when I was chosen as Kabid Penalaran dan Keilmuan in
the Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa at Bali State Polytechnic, where I led a team of
six people. Now, I feel lucky to be the head of a division in the institution
where I work, and I see it as a gift from God.
Through these experiences, I’ve
faced many challenges working with different people. As a leader, I’ve learned
to communicate well with my superiors and my team, both one on one and in
groups. These experiences have shaped the way I talk and work with others, but
I still ask myself
Is being a good leader only about
communication?
I remember one deep conversation
with my secretary, Sinta, when we were in Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa. We were
discussing the results of an interview with people who wanted to join our team.
As leaders, we had big goals for the year, and we knew we had to choose the
right people to help us achieve them. But even though we tried our best, not
everyone we picked met our expectations. This sometimes caused arguments
between Sinta and me. But luckily, we understood each other. Even when we
didn’t agree, we never let our emotions get out of control.
Sinta wanted everything to go
exactly as planned, while I liked to try new ideas and make changes. We
balanced each other out. When I was too excited, she kept me calm. When she was
too cautious, I pushed her to take risks. Looking back, I realize why I always
wanted to create new systems instead of just following old ones. I believe
leadership isn’t just about finishing tasks. It’s also about making a difference
for the people we lead.
For our first big project, a
national seminar, I asked each team member to present a theme they had
researched. I didn’t want them to just follow orders. I wanted them to think deeply and create
something meaningful. It took extra time, but I believed this skill was
important for our division, which focused on reasoning. The results? Not great.
Most of their ideas seemed rushed and poorly thought out.Was I angry? No,
though I wanted. I held on to my belief
that no matter how bad the results were, they had worked hard. Instead of
getting upset, I helped them improve their ideas.
But later, when I worked at a
five-star hotel, my idealism clashed with reality. In that fast paced
environment, mistakes were not forgiven. People were fired quickly if they
didn’t meet expectations, without being given second chances.One incident
really stuck with me. A young worker, who was always on time and worked hard,
made a small mistake one day. That was enough for him to lose his job. He
packed his things and left in tears. He didn’t even get the chance to learn
from his mistake.
That moment hurt me deeply. I
understood that the company had high standards, but I felt it was unfair.
Shouldn’t leaders also guide and help their team grow?
This was very different from my
experience as a student leader. Back then, my team made many mistakes, and
their work often disappointed me. But instead of giving up on them, I saw it as
my job to teach and support them. I remember one team member, a quiet girl, who
shared a weak idea during a meeting. People laughed at her, but I stayed up
late with her to help her improve it. The next day, she presented it again, and
it was much better. Seeing her confidence grow was one of my proudest moments
as a leader.
In the corporate world, however,
patience like that is rare. Most leaders care only about results and see people
as replaceable. This might seem necessary in a competitive workplace, but I
believe it’s not the only way. Shouldn’t leadership also be about leaving a
positive impact on the people we lead? Leadership, for me, isn’t just about
tasks and achievements. It’s about inspiring and helping people grow, so they
can become better and stronger, even after we’re gone.
I know I’m not a perfect leader, and I still have so much to learn. But I
believe in my heart that leadership isn’t just about tasks or achievements.
It’s about people. It’s about inspiring them, helping them grow, and leaving
behind something meaningful.
I might not always get it right, but I will try my best to be the kind of
leader who brings out the best in others, who guides them through challenges,
and who helps them see their own potential. I will continue to learn, to fail,
and to grow, because that’s what being a leader is truly about.
Lastly, It’s not only about the hardwork but also the heartwork!
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