Gen Z Speaks: A 4-day students' camp taught me good leadership is finding common ground among 'unlike-minded' people

Last December, I had a whole speech planned out to address my cohort of attendees during the “graduation ceremony” of a leadership camp to reflect on the past four days and three nights that we spent together.

My team, Watch Four, picked me to represent them as their speaker, and we had spent the previous day consolidating our thoughts and bouncing ideas off each other on what to say. 

Quite quickly, we came up with a few main takeaways from the inaugural Our Singapore Leadership Programme (OSLP), a four-day camp organised by the National Youth Council and National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI), in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

As part of the final day of the camp, I recall how changemakers were invited to speak to us and impart words of wisdom about leadership. 

One mentioned that we should “surround ourselves with like-minded people”. 

At first, I took it down in a note on my phone, as a few heads in the audience bobbled up and down in agreement. 

Yet, something felt wrong, and I held on to the backspace button on my phone. 

With less than 10 minutes to go until I was due to speak, I went on stage and said: “Surround yourself with 'unlike-minded' people. Find that common ground.” 

Why? The camp taught me that in order to challenge my beliefs, I had to be with people who held different views, which would either serve to solidify my convictions or break down perceptions I once held true. 

Before attending this programme, I had grown up in an all-girls school for 10 years of my life. From an early stage in my life, I thought I had my morals and beliefs figured out. 

But this residential camp, a leadership programme open to representatives from different secondary schools, succeeded in challenging my preconceived notions.

With me were 53 Secondary 4 student leaders who came from MOE schools as well as madrasahs, as part of the camp’s inaugural run from Dec 5 to 8, 2022. Like me, every student leader present had been nominated by our respective schools to attend this programme.

Stepping into the NACLI Multi-Purpose Hall, where the camp was held, I could not recognise a single familiar face. It was like reliving my first day of school all over again. 

Yet that was precisely what set this camp apart. With everyone having different backgrounds, each person brought uniquely contrasting views to the table. Everyone’s personality was a mosaic of their past struggles, present obstacles, and future victories. 

During the workshops organised, we tackled issues in depths unachievable elsewhere. We were encouraged to take our rose-tinted glasses off and fruitful conversations found fertile ground. 

Topics like our Singapore identity, the environment, and innovation were discussed as we spoke about how future generations can build a shared future. 

While some simple questions confounded me, camp facilitators were thankfully there to shepherd us every step of the way, encouraging us to stretch our limits and confront preconceived notions. 

A prime example of how we bonded was the night we spent sleeping over in the National Museum Singapore, where we traced our Singaporean roots and awed at the work of our forefathers. 

Despite our different backgrounds, I knew that we were in this together. With each passing day, my group members broke barriers and grew together as a team. 

Our differences never once sparked animosity, instead, they opened up doors for us to get a taste of the world outside our own.

Above all, the meaning of leadership often popped up during our group discussions.

To me, the idea of leadership has been frighteningly distorted in our modern society. Instead of a charismatic idol with millions of followers, I see a leader as a shepherd leading his or her sheep.

Leading, as I’ve come to learn in my admittedly limited years of personal experience and observation, is not about holding the loudhailer on the stage. 

Just like how shepherds walk alongside their sheep and guide them with their shepherd’s staff, leaders don’t merely stand in the front to command attention.

The best leaders leave footprints by walking the talk. They lead from within the community and within their hearts. 

OWNING YOUR YOUTH 

During the camp, we had multiple chances to converse with Green Advocates – people who started social enterprises and organisations since their youth. 

I quickly noticed a pattern: Their ambitions were not limited by age. 

Some of them made a mid-career decision, others sowed their seed in entrepreneurship while still schooling, and despite their youth, these changemakers have already left such deep footprints in the sand. 

It made me realise that age is not a limitation. So long as we all have visions of a better future, we should not let age stop us from charging ahead and making those dreams a reality.

Looking back at my camp experience, it provided new and insightful experiences, as well as deep conversations and inspiring awakenings.

As we parted ways, my team reminisced with a bittersweet note, as though we were long-time buddies.

If there was one takeaway I got, it would be to surround yourself with people that will spark growth in ourselves, and to take that leap and see our aspirations materialise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jemmima Tan Shin En, 16, is a first-year junior college student at Eunoia JC. She took part in the inaugural Our Singapore Leadership Programme in Dec 2022, representing Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (Secondary).