Could you briefly tell us about the leadership training you attended this summer?

It was modular training organised by Boy Scouts of America in Tama Hills, Japan. The training focussed on key aspects of leadership namely communication, finding and reaching your vision, leadership compass, conflict resolution, making ethical decisions, leading yourself and valuing others. The course was designed as a summer camp with an emphasis on theory and practical activities to nurture the leadership qualities in each participant.

What makes a good leader? What were the examples given during the training in order to answer this question?

A servant leader is a good leader. Lord Robert Baden-Powell was the perfect example of a servant leader. He was a lieutenant general in the British army and the writer, and founder of the 1st Boy Scout movement in the late 19th century. One of his famous sayings really stuck with me: “train them, trust them and let them lead.” With this saying, he summarises what a servant leader is all about - teach your people the fundamental skills and knowledge, trust them to apply this knowledge and skill set when the need arises, and then let them lead themselves in the final stage. Baden-Powell was a servant leader who wanted to enrich others’ lives - his people’s needs were always his priority.

What were the activities you engaged in to apply the leadership theory you learnt at the training?

Focus Ring was a fun yet very challenging activity that reinforced team building. We were given 5 ropes attached to a small ring and were asked to carry multiple size balls from one end of the field to the other. In order to accomplish this task, the leader had to ask for ideas from team members, come to a consensus to rapidly formulate an action plan.

Camping in the Wilderness was perfect to awaken the servant leader in each of us, as the leader must think of the group’s well being before his/her own. The leader needs to make sure that everyone is equipped with appropriate items, able to carry their own load, and have enough food. The leader has to plan how to get to the campsite and direct the team to the shortest and easiest route.

What are the steps you need to follow to find your own vision?

There are 4 simple steps in finding your vision:

Step 1: Brainstorm

• What you would like to be when you grow?

• What do you like to do?

• What do you want to contribute to your own life and to the lives of others?

• What do you want to give, create, be, feel or share?

Step 2: Bring it all together

During this step you must put all your answers to the questions in step 1 into a paragraph or sentence and see what constitutes your vision.

Step 3: Communicate with others

By communicating with others, you will know their visions and how you can improve your own, and you will also know how they have tried to achieve theirs. For example, you could talk to your mentors, parents or other people that you know who work in that field.

Step 4: Create SMART goals

- S = Specific

- M = Measurable

- A = Attainable

- R = Relevant

- T = Timely.

SMART goals will motivate you to achieve your vision - or goals without time limits.

What is your vision?

I would like to study law at Harvard University. I understand that as I start to learn more about other career opportunities, my vision might change in time.

How are you planning to reach your vision?

By studying very hard. How will I know if I have studied hard enough? I will know because my grades will improve. I will rely on my teacher's advice and comments to help me improve in areas that I lack. I will also make sure that I’m up-to-date on world news related to law and justice so that I can get a broader knowledge of how lawyers think and act.

What are the suggestions you would give to your friends who would like to find and reach their vision?

I would strongly recommend to my friends to follow the 4 steps to find their own vision. I would also tell them to go after their passion as their profession will be what they’ll be doing for the rest of their life. So, choose wisely and be SMART to achieve your goals/vision in time. Lastly, I would tell them to never give up.

What was the activity that stood out during your training? Both entertaining and educational?

Patrol off was definitely the activity that was the most challenging and fun filled. It is a competition where 6 patrols face each other in a series of activities and tasks. One of the activities required us to stand in a line, link up and pass a hula-hoop through the entire chain twice. This clearly showed everyone’s weaknesses and strengths of leading the team. Another activity required each person had to pack a backpack for camping. Attention to detail and communicating what’s missing are key here as we act as a team and support each other through the whole activity.

What is the best memory you have from the training?

When I think back, I can say I truly enjoyed the wilderness camp where I could put everything I learnt to the test. It really made me think and solve problems on the go as the trainers had set-up our route from our original campsite to the one in the wild. I personally felt that I proved myself during the wilderness camp as I was the patrol leader. I was fast to come up with solutions to prevent our team from getting wet in the rain and I stepped up to teach our patrol on how to cook our breakfast.

It was indeed very difficult to be a servant leader, it did change my view about leaders in the world today.

How are you planning to integrate what you learnt from the training to your learning and activities at school?

I plan on integrating listening, developing empathy and clear communication skills into my school work. As I will be trying to be a servant leader, I will seek out the interests, thoughts and ideas of the group in any school activity. Listening attentively will help me build empathy with my friends. As I will understand their side of the story, I will be able to come up with solutions that meet their needs. And most importantly, I will always try to have an open communication.