Sunday, December 23, 2007

LEADERSHIP

The word prefect rings a bell in every student's life. Becoming a prefect is a long felt dream of any student. The best ones with outstanding talents are chosen and given badges. I feel is the highest honor to us by our school. The prefect system was introduced in Sri Lanka during the British rule.

Prefects play a very important role in school. They stand shoulder to shoulder with the teachers to maintain discipline daily, at school and at functions. Prefects upload the traditions of the school, which are given to them by their seniors. Prefects should remain loyal to the school, respecting the rules and regulations that govern them and carry out their duties diligently. They should work hard for higher students’ ideals and should make their institution more beautiful than when it was handed over to them.

Prefects are "Pupil leaders". These leaders must have certain qualities. Punctuality is very important. To maintain punctuality they should learn time management. A good prefect also should be initiative and must have the ability to address a gathering without any preparations. They should be intelligent, be ready to make sacrifice and be an example to others so that others will follow their foot steps.

The prefects' body should be very united and co-operative. They must be effective team members and managers. Prefects must be controlled and truthful and be confident in what ever they discharge. A prefect should understand students' psychology. Kind words are hundred times better than rude punishments. You should keep in mind that you are also a student. You must not enforce another person to do something what you will never do.

Prefects should always be alert and conscious of their duty. Our key broth should be decency, discipline and decorum. Becoming a prefect is not an easy task. There is great competition among the students to get this badge, so he/she must never misuse his/her power and duty. Prefects are held in high esteem by the students. It is a very responsible position. So prefects should always take care about what they are doing and what they are going to do. Never ask 'what this school can do for you?' but 'what we can do to this school?'

In conclusion I would like to say that prefects must promote the level of discipline and must help the administration of their school. A good prefect will definitely be a good and effective leader not only in school but also in the community too.

LEADERS ARE NOT BORN
THEY ARE MADE.


Note : This aticle by me was published in the Hindu College prefects' day magazine in 2004

4 comments:

சஞ்யே said...

“Leadership is management’s job.”
“All bosses are leaders.”
“Leadership? That means having to pick up the
slack that results from everyone else’s mistakes.”
“I don’t need to be a leader. I’m not in charge.”
“Leaders are born, not made.”
ver heard these? Or perhaps even said them yourself ?
You’re not alone. It seems like everyone has something to say
about leadership – even if what they’re saying is based on misunderstanding
and misconception.
Sometimes we accept ideas as facts and let them rule our hearts
and our behaviors without taking the time to really think about
them. And so when we hear people saying this or that about
leadership, we may be tempted to just accept it as the truth. And
that’s unfortunate, because leadership is something we all need
more of in our lives … in our workplaces, our families, our communities,
and our country.
So what is leadership? Leadership is the behavior we exert when
we take responsibility for our actions and their consequences. It’s
the voice within us that calls out and says, “Take charge!” It’s the
challenge we face when we assume responsibility for guiding
others. Leadership is often the difference between success and
failure. It’s what separates the doers from the observers. And it’s
what gives direction to individuals and organizations.
Without leadership, we are lost.

Despite the old adage, the truth is that leaders are made, not born.
Leadership is developed by learning and refining a set of skills –
skills that anyone, including you and me, can learn and develop.
You may be asking, “Why me? Why do I need to be a leader?”
Because deep down inside, we all want to make a positive
difference in our lives in ways that make our world a better place.
After all …
What’s more important than helping others do a good job
at work and getting enjoyment from it?
What’s more important than teaching others about the
business so they (and you) will be more successful?
What’s more important than following through on your
commitments to the people with whom you work?
What’s more important than setting a good example for
others to follow including your coworkers, your friends,
and your children?
What makes a good leader? Ask a hundred different people, and
you’ll probably get a hundred different answers. But one thing’s
for sure, almost all of the attributes commonly cited for an
effective leader have one central theme:
Another truism is that leadership is not just
management’s job, it’s everyone’s
responsibility regardless of birth, education,
income, or position.

working with others.
180 Ways To Walk The Leadership Talk will give you practical
ideas and strategies to lead yourself and others for the benefit of
the group, the team, yourself, and your business.
You will discover six important things that all leaders do:

Listen and earn from others
Energize the organization
Act for the benefit of everyone
Develop themselves and others
Empower others to lead
Recognize achievement.

Under each of the L.E.A.D.E.R. headings, you’ll find a number
of action-oriented behaviors that you can implement yourself, or
share with people around you. These behaviors will enable you to
turn good intentions into action, and in the process, bring out the
special leader that’s inside of you.
My hope is that 180 Ways To Walk The Leadership Talk will be
your guide to creating, implementing, and living the leadership
example in your work life and in your personal life.
Read on.
Lead on!

Subanu said...

//Prefects are "Pupil leaders".

Exactly.. Well said..
And Thanks you very much Nangai to help me to remember my school days..

Subanu said...

//Prefects should remain loyal to the school, respecting the rules and regulations that govern them and carry out their duties diligently..

Actually.. Your words are very impressive and interesting.. I think you had fully dedicated and delighted with your prefect life..

Nangai said...

Thanks alot for the comments Subanu

//Actually.. Your words are very impressive and interesting.. I think you had fully dedicated and delighted with your prefect life..

Of course i enjoyed a lot as a prefect and i had also worked with complete dedication. But more than every thing, I'm really happy that I was a prefect since it made me build up my skills a lot. And that is now very much helpful in my career.
:)