In my research as HR development & management educator at Graduate Business Schools, I found youth leadership is a driving force behind some of the most significant social, environmental, religious and political movements of our time. As the real challenges facing our world grow increasingly complex, young leaders are stepping up to take action, bringing fresh ideas, passion & a sense of urgency to the table. From organizing community service projects to advocating for policy change, today's youth are not just preparing to lead tomorrow, they are leading right now. It goes beyond traditional leadership models, which often focus on individual achievement, instead emphasizes collaboration, civil engagement, and the ability to inspire and mobilize others.
It is grounded in the belief that young people have the power to make the difference because they often approach challenges with fresh perspectives, new innovative ideas, and a willingness to take the risks that older generations might shy away from. Sometimes adults like me don't see the solutions they do because we've been looking at the problem the same way for so long. Young people bring a new lens & energy to these issues, that make the difference.
In my conversations and interactions, I realized this proactive mindset allows youth to lead with creativity and drive, finding new ways to address the long standing community problems. Whether tackling community services, climate change, food security, or humanity education, they're finding new solutions.
I've reiterated time & again to my students that true leadership is not just about solving problems, though it's also about fostering a sense of community, bringing others together, cultivating relations, and shared responsibility for collective well-being. Young people recognize that change is most powerful when it is collective, and they strive to ensure that everyone's voice is heard.
For Aura Residence, this focus on inclusion is key to youth leadership. Whether organizing a community clean-up or spearheading community services, or organizing Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr programs, our youth leaders demonstrate a commitment to civic responsibility by engaging elders in meaningful action.
Zulkifly Baharom (hajizul50@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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