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The First Step of Learning Leadership – Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa


 Ever since I started taking on roles in classes, organizations, and companies, I’ve often asked myself: What does it take to be a good leader? For a long time, I didn’t know the answer.

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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