According to research done in the article, most people seek out qualities in leaders such as ethics and integrity, lead by example, communication, accountability, building trust, and being knowledgeable and wise.
Sounds familiar doesn't it? These are actually the core values in which the school has been trying to build unto us. The school has recognised the importance of these values in not only molding us into good people, but effective leaders as well.
However, the value topping the wanted list (ethics and integrity) seem to be what Rafflesians are lacking most nowadays. Putting this value down onto a small scale, we can see our friends copying work from one another in class daily. During tests, some students would leak the questions out to those who have not taken it. Now, while these may not seem to amount to much currently, what is worrying is the build-up of such habbits, as well as the continual degradation of our integrity. What would happen if we continue on like this for another 20 years? Would we be rising up the rungs of the social ladder through backstabbing and sabotaging others?
However, as a student, I do not understand how society works and I have made many assumptions by saying so. It is highly possible that people do not act the same way they do in school. Perhaps taking a shortcut by copying another’s work in school is a small issue and they change their behaviour in future as they understand the consequences.
It is a well known fact that Rafflesians are smart. However, being academically smart fufills only one of the qualities as stated in the first paragraph -- being knowledgeable. If this is what we are so proud of, then it really is nothing much to boast of. While the Raffles Programme aims to give her students a well-rounded education, values such as trust and honour cannot be taught easily. It is something which has to be developed over time.
Of course, not to be too cynical, there are definitely exemplary students existing within the school. Going through the Raffles Programme for a span of 4 years would definitely have some impact upon us. I am not trying to say being a Rafflesian would equate to being someone without moral values. My point here is that being successful in the academic field does not necessarily mean success in life.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again the importance of the core value of integrity. This is the very basis and foundation to us in working with others. A good leader is one whom others can trust. Before we can set an example, or set visions for others to follow, we need to command respect from them by showing them how good a person we are in the first place. While there are many Rafflesians who have shown this quality in the most admirable ways, there are definitely still some who do not.
No comments:
Post a Comment