Leadership Skills in Students Gained Through School Events

आत्मसंपद्गुणैः सम्यक् संयुक्तं युक्तकारिणम्।
महेन्द्रमिव राजानं प्राप्य लोको विवर्धते॥

(When a society gets a leader who is perfectly endowed with inner virtues, self-mastery, and who acts judiciously, that society prospers and flourishes.)

There is much more to studying in school than getting excellent grades and passing tests. The main point is about gaining some valuable life skills. Organizing sports competitions, attending annual days, cultural festivals, holding debates, organizing exhibitions, participating in student council activities, volunteering in community services, and other similar activities imply gaining experience and becoming a person who knows how to be in charge, take care of other individuals, and accept responsibility for certain decisions and actions.

As Mahatma Gandhi stated: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". School events demonstrate to students how it is important to be able to contribute something to some activity and be responsible for it.

Why Are Leadership Skills Important for Students?

The main point here is that leadership skills are not only about ordering someone to do certain things. Actually, it is about demonstrating how to act, accepting responsibility, and moving towards a particular goal. Students with leadership skills are people who know how to communicate with other people, work in a team, make decisions, resolve conflicts, and be confident in every situation.

The main thing is that these qualities will serve students not only in the educational environment but also in higher education, their careers, and everyday life. Moreover, people who develop them while they are still studying will be confident, self-reliant, and dependable when they continue studying in college and work.

As Nelson Mandela states: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Indeed, the change becomes even greater when these students are offered the chance to be leaders, help others, and gain valuable experience from practice.

How School Events Offer a Chance to Develop Leadership?

Each school event offers students the opportunity to be in charge. Thus, they might be organizers of some cultural show, captains of sports teams, hosts of programs or exhibitions. Of course, there are some lessons that cannot be learned from books.

In this process, they learn how to organize things from scratch, distribute tasks among the team members, organize time, and resolve unexpected issues. They realize that it is very important to be able to collaborate with other people.

Sure, sometimes there are some difficulties like the delay of the speaker, rain, or failure of some devices. However, dealing with such problems teaches students how to remain calm, think quickly, and choose the right solution.

As John C. Maxwell states: "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way". Thus, this is the moment when students become such leaders.

Leadership Skills Gained Through Events

Taking part in school activities offers students an opportunity to gain numerous leadership skills:

• Communication: Speaking in front of the public, giving instructions, communicating with guests - all these skills help people to be confident and express their ideas successfully.

• Teamwork: They understand that it is much easier to achieve some goals by working in a team than alone.

• Time management: Deadlines are very important.

• Problem-solving: Each event brings new challenges and students learn how to respond to them quickly.

• Responsibility: They accept responsibility for assigned tasks.

• Confidence: Finishing what has been started increases their confidence level.

These skills will be useful for them in different aspects of their lives: in work, family, and as community members.

Thus, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inspired young people saying: "Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action". Events in school help to make dreams into reality.

Leadership in Practice Through School Events

Different types of school events develop different leadership qualities. Thus, sports teach discipline, motivation, teamwork; debates and speeches – confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking; science fairs and exhibitions – creativity, research skills, and organization; cultural events – coordination, teamwork; participation in student council and election – decision-making and being able to stand up for somebody; volunteering – kindness, empathy, and generosity.

Of course, these experiences will help students to get prepared for leadership in different situations and environments.

Of course, these experiences will help students to get prepared for leadership in different situations and environments.

As Mother Teresa said: "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love". Even small assignments in organizing events help students to become leaders.

Role of Teachers and Parents in Encouraging Young Leaders

Certainly, the role of teachers in this process is crucial. They encourage students to participate in some events, help them when necessary and support their efforts. Excellent teachers help students to have enough confidence to take initiative without being scared to fail. Parental encouragement is associated with urging students to be responsible at home, make decisions, and be active in school life.

Of course, students face some difficulties because they can be frightened of speaking in public, be afraid of failures or have troubles with combining activities with studying. However, these situations make them more confident and resilient.

Indeed, as Nelson Mandela states: "I never lose. I either win or learn". Each victory gives students additional motivation while each mistake is a source of new knowledge.

Conclusion

Certainly, school events are not just particular holidays and competition. They are the moments when students are able to discover their strength, gain confidence and realize their role as leaders.

Certainly, organizing events, leading teams, solving problems, collaborating with other people give students experience that cannot be gained from textbooks. In addition, they help them to be prepared for both tests and future life outside school.

As Mahatma Gandhi stated: As Mahatma Gandhi rightly said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Schools that encourage students to actively participate in a wide range of activities help shape future leaders. I proudly state that Indirapuram Public School, Pratap Vihar, Ghaziabad, is one of the best schools for nurturing leadership skills in children.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥

(Whatever a great or noble person does, common people follow. Whatever standards they set, the world pursues.)