Today’s generation is known for being creative, innovative and super tech-savvy. But, behind the screens of cell phones and the spotlight of social media, there is a big challenge: how to be a resilient, courageous and visionary leader. In an era where trends come and go at lightning speed, leadership is no longer about commanding, it’s about inspiring, collaborating and moving forward together.
In this article, we will explore why leadership is crucial in student councils, what traits a true leader should possess, the challenges faced, and whether student councils are that important in the school realm. Ready to become a future leader? Let’s explore together how leadership can be a strong and important foundation for student organizations at Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur!
Let’s start with something simple about school. A school is a formal educational institution that serves as a place for students to gain knowledge, develop skills, and build character and personality. More than just a classroom, school also serves as a social environment where students learn to work together, communicate, and organize, one of which is through the student council, which is an important platform for leadership development.
As mentioned above, school is also an important place to build leadership soft skills. There are also other reasons such as:
- Learning Leadership and Responsibility
Student Council is a means for students to hone their leadership skills, make decisions, and be responsible for the programs and activities carried out.
- Student Aspiration Platform
As a liaison between students and the school, Student Council helps convey ideas, criticisms, and suggestions, so that students’ voices can be heard and noticed.
- Managing and Developing Activities
OSIS plays a role in designing, organizing and implementing various school programs, both academic and non-academic, in order to create an active and creative learning environment.
Now, let’s move on to the people who are in this student council organization. Let’s start from the simple thing that is a student council member. According to many people, becoming a student council member is not an easy task. There are a number of important criteria that prospective members must fulfil. They must have a strong leadership spirit, be able to communicate effectively, and be creative in designing work programs that benefit all students. In addition, discipline and responsibility are key principles, as student council members not only represent themselves, but also set an example for their peers. Academic and non-academic achievements are also taken into account, so that they are able to maintain a balance between study and organization. Moreover, upholding the values related to high integrity – honesty, fairness and commitment – would be the key element and the foundation for a student council member in carrying out their mandate and duties.
However, from my experience, there is one thing that is most important before everything, which is our own willingness to join and realize that the Student Council is a place that can help improve soft skills. In this organization, we can hone our soft skills such as learning to make decisions and take responsibility for a program, improving communication in negotiating and public speaking. In addition, teamwork, time management, problem-solving and creativity skills are also developed, which are very useful in facing various challenges in the future. The ability to adapt to sudden changes is also honed, making us better prepared for the world of work. Not only that, the Student Council also opens up opportunities to build extensive relationships with teachers, alumni, and external organizations, which can be a valuable asset in the future. In this case, soft skills are one of the important things to develop because the world of work is much more challenging, with demands for quick thinking and working in diverse teams. If we have been accustomed to developing soft skills since now, we will be better prepared to face competition and challenges in the future.
Unfortunately, it is not easy to apply immediately, because in this generation, not everyone has a high leadership spirit, they feel that being part of an organization is a waste of time, while they have not seen the long-term benefits. Some of the reasons that often arise are academic busyness, fear of leaving the comfort zone, and lack of awareness of the importance of soft skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. Lack of motivation and support from the surrounding environment also discourages many students from getting involved, coupled with the notion that student council is just a prestige event or a tiresome additional task without commensurate appreciation. But as said before, the world of work is much more challenging than school, we can be overwhelmed by the competition in the future if we think that school organizations are just a waste of time. Therefore, motivation from within is very important, because without awareness of the benefits, we will continue to see the organization as a burden, not an opportunity to grow. And this is where the role of an OSIS leader comes in, to provide understanding and encouragement to its members so that they realize that involvement in the organization is part of the process of learning and self-development.
With such an important role, the student council president not only serves as a symbol, but also as a leader who guides, makes decisions, and ensures the organization runs well. The responsibility of a chairperson is huge as they oversee all members and are responsible for the running of various school programs.
There are several challenges that a student council president faces, including:
- Be ready to be criticized
Criticism does not always come in a subtle way, sometimes criticism comes in a sharp and piercing form. However, that is where the challenge lies. A leader must be able to sort out criticism, take the positive essence of each comment, and use it as evaluation material.
- Sacrificing Personal Time
Being a leader means being ready to sacrifice personal time. Responsibilities as student council president often require one to attend impromptu meetings, organize events, or solve organizational problems, even outside of school hours. There are times when personal plans must be postponed for the sake of common interests.
- Sacrificing Self-Confidence
Not infrequently, an OSIS leader will be tested with various criticisms, pressures, and high expectations from teachers and peers in the organization. There are moments when criticism makes confidence waver. Sacrificing confidence does not mean giving up, but rather learning to become a stronger person. This is the process of becoming a leader who is able to control the ego and listen to the opinions of others.
Based on my experience, being student council president is not only about leading, but also about listening and collaborating. I hope that as student council president, I can create an inclusive environment, where every student feels heard and their ideas are appreciated. I want to encourage positive activities that not only enhance creativity and achievement, but also strengthen the sense of community. More than that, I hope to be an effective bridge between students, teachers and the school, so that each work program can run smoothly and have a real impact on the entire school community.
At the end of the day, life is full of challenges, but that doesn’t mean we have to back down. As women, we have the power and ability to achieve our dreams, lead and make a difference. Never feel limited by stereotypes or the views of others, because courage and perseverance are the keys to proving that we can. Keep going, because great women are not only those who dream, but also those who dare to act.
In short, in a school environment, Student Council plays an important role as a platform for students to learn leadership, cooperation, and responsibility. Being part of the student council is not just about running a work program, but also about how we are able to set an example, listen to the aspirations of our friends, and find solutions together. Courage, perseverance, and commitment are the keys to proving that we can make a difference. Keep going, because great leaders are not only those who dare to dream, but also those who do not hesitate to act for the common good.