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By Ammy Keriaqos, Bachelor of Commerce
I imagined a three-year adventure packed with international experience, major leadership challenges, and a concentration on the global stage when I first heard about the Global Leadership Program (GLP). I had no idea that my journey would take an unexpected turn and that I would find the significant impact of local activities in leadership, innovation, global mindset, and social and environmental sustainability.
My GLP journey began in my last semester of university, thanks to a lecturer who spotted my résumé and urged me to apply for the program. The initial plan to complete the program in six months rather than the full duration of my studies was filled with many challenges. Among these difficulties were the ongoing struggle against time, a lack of self-confidence, and the incessant negative self-talk that frequently irritates us when we move outside of our comfort zones.
The most difficult thing for me was the ongoing struggle against the clock. Completing the GLP criteria in a short period needed meticulous planning and steadfast commitment. This problem, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. It compelled me to prioritise and concentrate on what was important, and it drove me to grow in ways I never imagined possible for me.
My lack of self-confidence and the relentless negative self-talk were additional hurdles to overcome. It's a common struggle we all face when entering unfamiliar territory. However, the GLP values of leading for self and others was a beacon of inspiration. I soon realised that even the seemingly mundane skills and actions from my past had meaning and impact. These realisations gave me the confidence boost I needed to push forward. Additionally, all the GLP staff have been highly supportive and involved in my journey of growth, which spoke volumes to me about their dedication to the program and students' success in it.
Amid these challenges, the joys of my GLP journey began to shine through. One of the most memorable aspects of the program was my exposure to new and diverse situations through colloquia and experiential points. An example of that was my attending a symposium titled "Rights of Nature Symposium - Updates from around the World", which opened my eyes to the profound actions being taken worldwide to address sustainability issues often overlooked on the surface. While attending this symposium was a first for me, hearing about it in the newsletter gave me the motivation to do something that I never thought I would be able to do. GLP has slowly formed a journey not just for me as a student but also as a person.
The joy of participating in critical and unfiltered discussions in a safe and inclusive environment was a transformative experience. It highlighted the significance of open dialogue and diverse perspectives in driving global leadership and innovation. But possibly the most relieving revelation was the ability to claim actions I had taken throughout my university years in retrospect. This realisation meant I could fulfill the 200 experiential points required by the program. It was a reminder that the journey towards global leadership isn't always about grand gestures; it's about recognising the value of every step taken, no matter how small.
The GLP journey emphasised the importance of leading for self and others. It showed me that local actions, often considered ordinary, can be extraordinary demonstrations of leadership and innovation. In a world where we often associate global leadership with grand, sweeping changes, it's easy to overlook the power of small, local actions. However, it's these actions that collectively make a difference.
My GLP journey began with the assumption of a global emphasis, but it ended with a profound awareness of the need for local leadership. It reaffirmed the GLP principles of self- and other-directed leadership, innovation, global mindset, and social and environmental sustainability. I learnt that we must not underestimate the influence of our 'ordinary' works in the pursuit of global citizenship and leadership. Each action we take, each discussion we have, and each inclusive environment we establish leads to a brighter and more sustainable world.