What does it mean to lead?
There is a common misconception that to lead means making all the decisions and knowing all the answers. This concept is rooted in ego and will, more often than not, lead to anarchy and revolution. One of my roles at Southland Boys' High School is to work with the student leaders - to help them navigate certain truths, and find ways to gain meaningful outcomes from within them.
Here are those ‘truths’:
1. People follow based on trust. Therefore, to lead, you must first earn that trust.
2. People trust what they know, so to gain the trust of people around you, you must first let them know you.
3. If you want to dig a hole, pick up a shovel and start digging. If people see that you are willing to be part of the hard work that leads to the outcome, they are far more likely to pick up a shovel and join you.
4. If you do your job well, no one should notice that you do it, so a good leader will receive very little praise.
5. If you teach people how to lead as you lead them - when you can’t be there, they are properly equipped to step into the role.
6. Find out what the organisation needs and work towards getting it. What you want pales in comparison to what the organisation that you lead needs.
This year I have been lucky enough to be able to work with a very gifted set of student leaders. The 21 young men that wore the prefect tie this year represent the full spectrum of SBHS men. They have learned to use each other’s voices and skill sets to achieve equitable outcomes for the students they represent, and they have learned to trust each other. They have reinvented the senior assembly experience by adding house events that sought to engage with the student body across all year levels and inject fun onto the stage. They have led with passion during all house events. They have spent time in Year 7&8 classes playing games and building strong relationships. It seems hugely unfair to single any of them out, because they all offer so much and have accomplished everything as a unit. However, there are a few names and achievements that I would like to pay special attention to.
Amaziah: one of the biggest responsibilities asked of the Prefects is to be part of our community and whānau projects. Chief amongst these is the Kickstart Breakfast Club. Many of the Prefects gave up their mornings to help with the club and to hang out with the boys involved in it - only one Prefect managed to do this all the time. From a very appreciative community and the thankful tamariki of this school, thank you to Amaziah.
Cameron: you are often overlooked, but I will draw your attention to the 4th rule of leadership listed above. Cameron - in what you have managed this year, from being part of the house challenges (marshmallows were my favorite) to organising the leavers gear - you have proven one thing. When Cameron starts something, it will be finished, finished well, and carried out so well that very few people notice the effort involved.
To the House Leaders - Aubrey, Ethan, Matt, Fraser, and Gregor: the reason there was fun this year and the reason the House Shield mattered was you. Thank you for going out of your comfort zone, thank you for being creative in the challenges, thank you for leading from the front, and thank you for giving others something to follow.
Matt: to be the center of a schools wairua is an extremely difficult task. You were given the mantle of Cultural Leader of the school at last years prizegiving, and, while you found that you were often away when the need to lead arose - when you were there you were amazing. When you were absent, carrying out your duties as a school leader elsewhere, the people who stood in for you had your mana to lead them – see rule 5 of leadership.
Raymond: Thank you for the greatest Prefect introduction speech ever given at this school. What you said moved many, and what you have done in the tie this year lived up to the power of that speech - see leadership rule 2.
Finally to Matt, Nick and Ruairidh: to have risen to the top of this year group is no easy feat. You are all great men and have carried the weight of your blazers with dignity all year. As you head into the end of the year, know that the school is in a better place than where you found it. All three of you have contributed to enhancing a 143-year-old school. Well done and thank you.
The wonderful thing about this school is that every year we get a new group of leaders who will wear the tie, earn the braided blazers, and find their way to enhance a 144-year-old school.
Ray Laurenson
Associate Rector |
