Page 20 - Dainfern issue 10 2021

TODAY'S CHILD

Prefect, Student Representative THE HIGH ACHIEVERS success. In other words, you base
Council, etc. School is an academic institution your self-worth on your performance
based on the principles of education, and output, which leads to burnout,
There is so much information about learning and knowledge. To measure stress and lack of meaning in life.
what leadership is, and yet it is still progress, it needs quantitative
misunderstood. To understand what results, i.e. tests and exams. LIFE IS A JOURNEY
leadership actually is, it is sometimes Therefore, performance at school My work offers me a unique
necessary to first know what it is not. is based on marks and academic opportunity to engage with people
• Becoming a leader is not a achievements. on a very deep level. Many of
popularity contest. these people include top business
• Leaders are not in charge of Even though school takes the leaders, successful entrepreneurs,
others – those are managers. majority of your time, you are still doctors and CEOs. Those leading
You can be a manager without more than your marks. Unless you the most exciting and influential lives
leadership skills and be a leader plan on becoming an academic have realised that there is no final
without being a manager. and spending the rest of your days destination, finish line at the end of
• Leaders are not appointed. reading, researching and publishing the rat race, or beacon at the top of
• Leaders do not control others. papers, there is a lot more to life than the ladder where they get awarded
• Leadership is a learnt skill. Some just developing your intellect. for ultimate achievement. Their
people are natural leaders, where success and motivation come from
others develop the skill. There is an unhealthy and their ability to embrace the journey
• Leadership is not a title. unbalanced focus on this element of and whatever it brings.
people development. Even if you are
The best definition of leadership is: the a high achiever and school comes You do not have to have yourself,
responsibility you take for the influence easy to you, you risk becoming your career and your life all figured
you have on the world around you. identified with smartness and out. Just take it a step at a time.

“

Performance

at school is

based on marks

and academic
achievements. “

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