The Essence of Leadership

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, Youth

The Essence of Leadership

The Essence of Leadership

In a world driven by ambition and success, it’s crucial to pause and reflect on the significance of our roots and culture. Our unique stories and career journeys are shaped by the values and traditions instilled in us during our upbringing. These roots serve as a moral compass, guiding us in the right direction as we navigate the complex ladder of life. However, as we climb higher and higher, we often find ourselves losing sight of these fundamental principles.

Roots and culture are traditional refinements which mold and guide a person in the right way. But The pursuit of success, particularly in the form of financial gain, can be all-consuming. The allure of wealth and power can lead us astray, causing us to forget the very essence of who we are and where we come from. It’s at this juncture that we become vulnerable to negative distractions and begin to change as individuals. We may start to believe that we are superior to others, that everyone should follow our lead, or that we can misuse our resources for selfish purposes.

But being a good leader demands something more profound. It requires us to remain grounded even as we soar to new heights. We must remember our roots and the culture that has molded us into the individuals we have become. This is the essence of “humbitious” – a term that fuses “humbleness” and “ambitiousness.”

Humbitious individuals are those who rise to success while retaining their humility and respect for their origins. They understand that their journey to the top is not solely about personal achievement but also about the impact they can have on others and the world around them. They recognize that leadership is not about domination but about inspiration, collaboration, and empowerment.

To embody humbitiousness, one must constantly strive for self-improvement while remaining connected to their roots. It’s about reaching for the sky, setting ambitious goals, and pushing boundaries, all while keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground. There are a few principles that can help us nurture the humbitious spirit:

  • Reflect on Your Roots: Take time to reflect on your upbringing and the values instilled in you by your family, community, and culture. Embrace the lessons you’ve learned and let them guide your decisions.
  • Practice Gratitude: Remember to express gratitude for your journey and the opportunities you’ve been given. Recognize that success is often the result of a collective effort and acknowledge those who have supported you along the way.
  • Empower Others: As you climb the ladder of success, strive to lift others up with you. Be a mentor, advocate, and source of inspiration for those who aspire to follow in your footsteps.
  • Stay Open to Learning: Embrace a growth mindset and continue to learn and evolve. Being ambitious doesn’t mean you know everything; it means you’re willing to explore new horizons and expand your knowledge.
  • Serve a Higher Purpose: Beyond personal gain, seek to make a positive impact on your community and the world. Use your success to contribute to causes that matter to you and create a legacy of positive change.

In a world that often celebrates ego-driven success, embracing humbitiousness can set you apart as a leader who not only achieves greatness but also uplifts others along the way. As we pursue our ambitions, let us remember the importance of staying true to our roots and culture, for it is in that authenticity that we find the true essence of success. So, let us all aspire to be humbitious and reach for the stars while keeping our feet firmly rooted in the ground.

In a world that often celebrates ego-driven success, embracing humbitiousness can set you apart as a leader who not only achieves greatness but also uplifts others along the way. As we pursue our ambitions, let us remember the importance of staying true to our roots and culture, for it is in that authenticity that we find the true essence of success. So, let us all aspire to be humbitious and reach for the stars while keeping our feet firmly rooted in the ground.

“Stay rooted, reach for the stars, and embody humbitiousness.”

Shamyudha Ravindran

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

The essence of leadership

Inspiring acts of kindness

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

Inspiring Acts of Kindness: How Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference

Inspiring Acts of Kindness: How Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference

 

Acts of kindness, no matter how small, possess the power to transform the world into a better place. It could be a simple smile, a thoughtful gesture, or lending a helping hand that can brighten someone’s day and lift their spirit. It is like the beauty lies within the simplicity. Every simple but great act of kindness has a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver.

 

Small acts of kindness are effortless but have an everlasting impact. Showing empathy to someone in need or offering a compliment costs nothing but can mean everything to the person on the receiving end. What is beautiful is these acts can often set off a chain reaction. They inspire others to pay it forward and spread communication throughout their communities.

 

In this world, we can choose to be anything, but choosing to be kind is a beacon of hope. If good is to be last in this ever changing world we need that beacon in every heart. The world was never pure as a pearl and it never will be, the world has its flows, but within these flows there lie stars who shine brightly to cover up those flaws with kindness. So kindness is a hope that gives strength to do good deeds.

 

No matter how cruel your summer is, and how frosty your winter is, a little act of kindness can give you the embrace of sunset in your summer and be an ember of comfort in your winter.

Dakshika Jayaweera

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

Make a big difference : One small act of kindness at a time

J.K. Rowling: The author who conquered challenges and inspired generations

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• Leadership, Membership, MentalHealth, Volunteer, Youth

J.K. Rowling: The Author Who Conquered Challenges and Inspired Generations

J.K. Rowling: The Author Who Conquered Challenges and Inspired Generations

 

J.K. Rowling, she is the renowned author of the Harry Potter series, stands as a beacon of inspiration to aspiring writers and individuals facing challenges. Her journey to become a writer is remarkable, starting with struggles to make ends to become one of the world’s most successful authors is a testament to the power of consistency, creativity, and strong belief in oneself.

 

Rowling’s early life was full of financial difficulties and personal hardships. She faced a series of challenges as a single mother, living on government benefits while fighting depression and the loss of her mother. However, breaking through these struggles, she found her passion in writing. She used this as a way of expressing her emotions and experiences and created a magical world, giving birth to the beloved character Harry Potter.

 

The Harry Potter series, first got rejected by many publishers, ultimately found home and captured the hearts of millions in the world. Her story teaches us the value of resilience and determination in the face of rejection. She didn’t give up, her character didn’t give up and her determination paid exponentially. Giving the world proof that success often follows persistence and effort.

 

Beyond her literary achievements, she has been a philanthropic force. The charitable organisation “Lumos’’ ‘focused on improving the lives of disadvantaged children worldwide was established by Rowling. She is trying to use her success to make a positive impact on the world and she is being an influence for everyone worldwide for greater good.

 

Her journey is an inspiration for individuals and younger generations to embrace their unique experiences. Rowling’s story reminds us that our challenges and setbacks can be stepping stones to greatness if we believe in ourselves and our dreams.

Dakshika Jayaweera

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

J.K.Rowling

Leading with care: Exploring the impact of social relationships

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

Leading with Care: Exploring the impact of social relationships.

Leading with Care: Exploring the impact of social relationships.

 

For the longest time, we have been avid enjoyers of passive content on social media, on the television and the internet. We have been also working from morning to afternoon to night in our routines, whether we were at school or university or at our workplace. While we lead these mostly mundane lives of ours, we are also exposed to the most horrifying news of the decline of global stability in terms of nature, society and of ourselves. Our era is, now more than ever, aware of our own internal struggles and conversation stirs with mental health awareness, support and transparency.

Though landmark studies of the mind happened centuries ago, we are now only starting to grasp the prevalence of these conditions. For the most part, work culture has adapted mental health awareness in their organizations. This notably excludes many organizations in Sri Lanka since mental health literacy is still sadly limited to the urban and educated populations. Although one thing that accompanies these new approaches, they revolve around euphemisms and encouragement of self-care and verbal support yet there is a lack of direct and practical help towards a struggling team member. 

Exploring the impact of social relationships as a remedy and strategy

A first approach here is a clear and crystal understanding of how work impacts your teams. Even though as a leader, you may encourage personal growth and positive contributions, yet it must be taken into consideration that not all your team members think the same. They are of diverse backgrounds, talent and upbringing – that is precisely what makes your team strong. The advantage of a variety of brilliant minds together is the superpower to progress. However, they may have extreme workloads and personal commitments which may be shunning their growth in the workplace.

Most commonly, mental health issues are identified as anxiety and depression which could inhibit daily work. However, mental health conditions hold hands with social factors like economy, childhood trauma, discrimination, or ongoing physical illness and so on. But you may be wondering how these factors can be managed through your help. It is true that mental health conditions aren’t controllable. But factors like workplace stress, ineffective systems, exhausting time-schedules and unrealistic deadlines have so much power to trigger experiences or emotions that might make an individual spiral into an unhealthy style of living and coping. 

Approaches to make your members reach out for help

So, what can you do to really impact the life of a team member so they don’t fall apart? I want to highlight the impact of social relationships as a remedy and strategy (among many others of course). Find time to connect and keep in touch with your members. A mental health day or a mental health survey is one way to go about this. Have sharing spaces which encourage all experiences equally. One may begin expressing how great their experience has been so far, this would make another not share a negative experience they might have had due to fear and shame.

As a leader, there is a power dynamic you share and by being open to all experiences by even sharing your own experiences that may have been life lessons could be a starting approach. Yet, the process is intricate. You can’t force a movie night and hope for the best. Sometimes, collective hobbies may be far more stressful for them to sacrifice time towards. If plans aren’t carefully executed, it might make things worse than better.

The line between the good and the bad is thinner when it comes to psychological health. A stigma-free culture doesn’t happen overnight, yet slowly cultivating a culture where mental health is navigated, difficult conversations are necessary to change the mindsets of all. Pride and position could very well be restricting the team to stop sharing their issues. They may be particularly concerned about losing their positions or opportunities due to their limiting forces. Don’t hold them accountable to their episodes of emotions, chances are they are already hung up on them and are trying to improve themselves.

Let your team grow at their own pace

Another approach to make your members reach out for help is to have an ongoing survey or platform, where they are allowed to confidentially send you concerns, recommendations and so on. People need people, if your team doesn’t respond to you, that does not mean they don’t have anything to say. Instead give them a space to slowly grow into confidence. Let your team grow at their own pace, their work ethic will make sure it won’t hinder the growth of the team as a whole.

One significant way you can impact the lives of your team members is delegating them with tasks they are good at and enjoy doing. Newly designed and easily accessible personality testing platforms and feedback surveys would be a helping hand to leaders in this regard. If your members feel incompetent in their tasks or do not like them enough to learn them, they may suffer from the imposter syndrome, which would further nurture their self-pity and they will feel like they don’t deserve their successes. 

Be realistic as a leader.

It’s easy to encourage the team to adapt to work cultures and fit-in, though a better and a far fresh path to take would be to build the team around your members instead of making your members fit the pre-drawn map of the team. Along with these little steps, engaging in active listening and genuine concern as well as knowing that there is a time and place for everything goes a long way. More importantly, it is important that the team shares these concerns. This can create a “ripple effect” in the context of mental health, where one person’s actions or experiences can set off a chain reaction that shapes the emotional landscape of individuals, groups, and even extends to communities. Hence, overall these positive efforts to promote mental health awareness, understanding, and support can have far-reaching effects, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more compassionate society.

 

With that being said, if you are really struggling from mental health challenges, the following support lines and places are free of charge! They encourage you reach out to them to help manage any concerns or conditions you may be having; 

 

Sumithrayo (Face-to-face, over the phone, and email consultations available.)

Hotline: +94 11 2 682535 / +94 11 2 682570

Website: www.sumithrayo.org

 

CCC-line: Free telephone helpline service, all day of the week from 7am to 5am.

Helpline: 1333

Website: www.cccfoundation.org.au

 

Shanthi Maargam: For psychological and emotional support, career guidance and future planning.

Contact number: 0717639898

Email: shanthimaargam@gmail.com

Website: ​​https://shanthimaargam.org

 

National Mental Health Hotline-1926

 

Thisandi Weerasinghe

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

Key ways to improve listening skills

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

Key ways to improve listening skills

Key ways to improve listening skills

Effective communication happens when the speaker rapports their information effectively to the receiving end. We all have been either a deliverer of speech or a person at the receiving end on numerous occasions. So have you been playing the role of the receiving end party well by being an effective listener? Or have you ever felt like you’ve been hearing “a lot of things” at a meeting? If it’s the latter case, don’t worry, I got you!

Listening and hearing are two different things. “Listening” is a skill you should develop to receive information effectively when communicating, whereas “Hearing” is your natural ability to identify sound stimuli. Hence, it turns out that if you’ve been hearing “a lot of things” instead of encoding information when engaging in a conversation, you should practice these strategies to be a good listener. This is because whether you are a leader or a member of a large organization, improving listening skills is a handy tool to master!

  1. Be attentive.
  2. Ask questions.
  3. Request clarification.
  4. Paraphrase.

Step 01 – Be attentive!

Sometimes, we tend to drift off to our little imaginations while talking with someone. And when the second we come back to reality, we have no sense of what’s going on! It is at this point you’ll start to hear things instead of listening. What I do is consistently maintain my interest in the conversation. That is, by carefully listening to what the speaker is saying while encoding the necessary information and not making judgements or conclusions in my head. Another important thing is eye contact, this is because when we maintain our eye contact with the speaker; it is easy to concentrate during the listening process. So do not forget to face the speaker and maintain eye contact throughout the conversation. If you are a leader, you should be attentive to what your members are saying in order to come up with better objectives, adjustments, and improvements. If you are a member of a large organization, you should always be attentive to what your colleagues and leader are saying in order to give your maximum to achieve organizational goals.

Step 02 – Ask questions

Would you like it if someone you’re talking to is just staring at you and you just kind of feel like being a radio playing audio on its own? No, nobody appreciates something like that. And that’s why we need to make sure not to put the speaker in an uncomfortable situation like that. What I do is ask questions. Ask questions which are related to the topic and make sure they are open-ended questions. You may think that asking questions is an interruption, but actually, it makes the speaker more confident to report the maximum information to you when you show him or her that you are interested. So ask questions starting with “How” “What” and “Why” to open up new sides of the topic you’re dealing with and make sure they are asked in a welcoming manner. I ask questions like “What might have caused that?” or “Why do you think that ‘s the case?” so that the speaker feels welcomed to speak more. This is a brilliant way to grab the maximum ideas of your members to come up with holistic decisions and better strategies to achieve organizational goals.

 

Step 03 – Request Clarification

Have you ever felt like you lost track of where the conversation is going? That is because you have missed the first step of this whole listening process; that is, being attentive to what the speaker is saying. Don’t worry, it is totally okay to be caught in a situation like that as long as you request clarification. Yes, don’t ever hesitate to request clarification from the speaker if you feel like you didn’t get it right. I always ask “Could you say that again, please?” or “Would you elaborate on that, please?” whenever I feel like I don’t get what the speaker is trying to say. This will make the speaker to be more specific and effectively communicate his or her idea. Et voilà! Effective communication happens. Thus, this is a core requirement to process with the organizational goals as it is important to make sure that the leader and members are all on the same page when working towards a common objective.

Step 04 – Paraphrase

After requesting clarification as we discussed in step three, it is important to make sure that you clearly got the idea that the speaker conveyed while also ensuring the speaker that he or she had effectively communicated his or her idea. So, how can we kill these two birds with one stone? That could be done by Paraphrasing! How I do it is by repeating the underlying idea of the speaker’s points with my own words whilst maintaining the level of formality by matching the tone of the speaker. You can start to say your paraphrase by saying “So, what you’re saying is…” or ” If I got you right, you mean that…”. This way, you can assure the speaker that you have listened to his or her speech effectively while confirming that the information has been understood precisely by you. In an organizational scenario, this should be a crucial step before wrapping up any meeting. That is because this step confirms that the discussed information has been effectively communicated among the leader and the members of the organization.

 

That’s it! These are the keys to make you an effective listener. Next time when you’re engaging in a conversation, ace these steps so that you won’t just hear “a lot of things” but instead actually listen and effectively encode the information delivered by the speaker.

 

 

 

Hashini Dissanayake

Content writer

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

Active Listening : Hear what people are really saying

Art of Communication in Effective Leadership

Art of Communication in Effective Leadership

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