Welcome to
Lead for Life!
The University of Hong Kong's Character Leadership Course
#HKULeadForLife
"A transformative experience to flourish in various aspects of my life"
Liheng Chen
Team Respect, Cohort 2021
"A supportive community to give me a sense of belonging at university"
Ek-anankul Wirith
Team Humility, Cohort 2024
Embark on a Life Changing Journey with a Community that Helps You Flourish!
LEAD9001. Lead for Life is a 6-credit, free elective course offered over two years, open to full-time undergraduates from all faculties and degree programmes. But Lead for Life is more than just a course – it’s a transformational learning journey focused on cultivating character as the driving force behind effective leadership. Through interactive teaching, mentoring, community service learning, and other enriching experiences, we provide opportunities that help students explore a holistic university life beyond the academic, to grow as a whole person and discover the richness of intellectual, personal, moral, and social development.
We believe leadership is not about a position but about disposition. Everyone can be a leader of character. Character leadership involves developing self-awareness of who we are now, recognizing our unique strengths and leadership styles, and continually striving to fulfil our full potential. Leadership is the process of influencing others towards a goal, with character serving as both the means of influence and the aspiration. This is a lifelong journey towards becoming consistent and best versions of ourselves, living our lives in virtuous ways that contribute to a flourishing world.
Welcoming Cohort 2025!
LEAD9001. Lead for Life is open to full-time undergraduates from all faculties and degree programmes who are not in their final year. The two-year course is designed to support students’ personal and professional growth by fostering wellness alongside career readiness. We welcome everyone! Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, have perceived abilities or disabilities, or require special needs, Lead for Life aims to inspire and empower you to be a leader of character.
Hear Our Student Stories
The best experience for me as a first-year student at HKU
Spending the last year with the Lead for life community has been the best experience for me as a first-year student at HKU. It has been a great experience and an amazing journey to learning more about my weaknesses and strengths as a person and as a member in the community. Every gathering has been an opportunity for me to learn something new from my peers and flourish in my academic life at HKU.
A transformative experience to flourish in various aspects of my life
Lead for Life has been a transformative experience for me, helping me grow in character leadership and allowing me to flourish in various aspects of my life. To me, character leadership means the ability to lead by example and make decisions based on strong moral principles. It means being authentic, honest, and accountable while inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential.
A supportive community to give me a sense of belonging at university
Being in Lead for Life has not only helped me develop my leadership skills but also given me a sense of belonging at university. The program has taught me that I can adapt my character to fit different situations, which has made me more confident in taking on leadership roles and opened up many new opportunities. My mentor group has been incredibly supportive, and I feel like I have a group of people I can rely on. Overall, Lead for Life is a place where I can learn, grow, and thrive. I am excited to continue this journey in Year 2.
The community aspect has been so rewarding
I'm eager to continue building relationships and collaborating with my fellow Lead for Life participants. The community aspect of the programme has been so rewarding, as I've been able to learn from diverse perspectives and support one another's growth. Maintaining those connections and tapping into the group's collective wisdom will undoubtedly contribute to my own flourishing as a leader.
Learning to share sincere thoughts while respecting and supporting others
Lead for Life has helped me grow in character leadership by encouraging mutual support within mentorship groups. We learned to share sincere thoughts while respecting and supporting others. This experience helped me build authentic friendships during my exchange abroad by sharing honestly and listening patiently. Applying what I learned, I made good friends from different cultures, with whom I still keep in contact today.
Individuals committed to making a positive difference in the world
Lead for Life is significant because it offers a platform for personal growth and self-discovery. It equips me with the necessary tools and knowledge to become an effective leader, not just in my professional life but also in my personal relationships and community. Being part of Lead for Life means being part of a supportive and empowering network of individuals committed to making a positive difference in the world. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the growth and flourishing that lie ahead.
A platform and support to be a changemaker
For me, flourishing means living a purposeful and fulfilling life, aligning my actions with my aspirations and making a positive impact in the world. Lead for Life has provided the friendships and resources I need to pursue this vision. I aspire to be a changemaker, contributing to the betterment of society, and Lead for Life has given me the platform and support to realize this goal.
Incredibly supportive mentors providing guidance and feedback
Through Lead for Life, I’ve learned to identify my talents, limitations, values, and beliefs. This has allowed me to understand myself and my motives better, enabling me to make more deliberate and authentic decisions. I have made it a habit to regularly reflect on my actions and experiences, seeking opportunities for growth and learning. My mentors have been incredibly supportive in this process, providing guidance and feedback.
Reshaped my understanding of leadership
In the past, I associated leadership with arrogance, pride, and the exercise of power that created divisions among people. However, my time in Lead for Life has reshaped my understanding. I now appreciate that leadership is not about exerting control over others but rather about empowering ourselves to navigate the ever-changing and challenging aspects of life. It also involves supporting and collaborating with others as part of a team, all working towards a shared goal.
Exceptional impact on my university life
I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the exceptional impact Lead for Life has had on my university life. The strong sense of community surrounded by a group of committed, like-minded individuals navigating similar life transitions has been incredibly reassuring. They have been a crucial source of perspectives, strength, encouragement, and practical advice. The emphasis on holistic well-being has been instrumental in helping me manage anxiety, foster a healthier relationship with myself and build a more well-rounded person. I feel better equipped to navigate life’s challenges, and to inspire positive change within my community.
Truly empowering
My understanding of leadership gained during my short time with Lead for Life has been truly empowering. My a-ha moment came from understanding that leadership is not a definition, nor a set of characteristics you strive to achieve. Rather, leadership is recognising the strengths and weaknesses of your character, and then figuring out how you can lead best. I have grown quite fond of the term character leadership because it underscores that anyone can be a leader, with any combination of characteristics.
Kind and encouraging people who helped me believe in myself
I used to doubt myself and believed that I didn't have the ability to become a leader. I felt that I wasn't as clever or competitive as other students, and I lacked the courage to express myself. However, after joining the Lead for Life family, something changed. I met so many kind and encouraging people who helped me believe in myself. They taught me that no matter who I am, I can make a positive impact on myself and those around me. I’ve become more confident and realise I can do more than I ever thought possible.
A compassionate mindset to increase my emotional intelligence
In today's fast-paced, interconnected world, understanding others at a deep level is a skill that any social impact leader must have. Lead for Life challenged me to put myself in the shoes of others, listen with an open mind, and consider how my actions may affect different stakeholders. This compassionate mindset has increased my emotional intelligence and helped me become better able to create inclusive and collaborative environments.
A unique opportunity to explore my potential, extending beyond the academic realm
My Lead for Life experience has transformed my perspective on leadership. It's not just about charisma, extroverted personalities, or outstanding achievements. Rather, leadership comes in various forms and can be developed by anyone striving to cultivate an exemplary character. Lead for Life provides a unique opportunity to explore our potential and share our stories in a supportive environment, extending beyond the academic realm, which was often lacking in my secondary education.
Grown more confident in my ability to lead, even in small ways
When I first applied to Lead for Life, I honestly believed I was too introverted to be a leader. I thought I didn’t have the qualities typically associated with leadership. However, during our first event, I remember someone sharing that having an impact on others is a key aspect of being a leader. That really struck a chord with me. Since then, my view of leadership has shifted significantly. I've learned that it's not just about taking charge; it's about influence and connection. I've grown more confident in my ability to lead, even in small ways. I now see leadership as something accessible to everyone, including those of us who might not fit the traditional mould. Lead for Life has taught me that leadership is about empathy, support, and collaboration, and that has truly transformed my perspective.
Mentors as role models, not just telling you how to improve, but showing you
Lead for Life doesn’t just tell you how to improve yourself but shows you how. Our mentors serve as role models as we engage in various events and discussions. I’m very optimistic about the upcoming year and look forward to participating in more practical activities that will challenge us to become great leaders. I am forever grateful to the Lead for Life programme for providing such an opportunity for growth and learning.
A constant learning and self-improvement journey
Participating in Lead for Life has been a constant learning and self-improvement journey. The programme shapes leaders and nurtures individuals who aspire to lead with integrity, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose. By continuing to engage with these topics and activities, I am confident that I will grow in my capacity to lead effectively and flourish as an individual committed to building thriving communities.
Understanding and reconciling with myself and navigating my path
I used to view leadership as a position of power and importance, which gave me some negative impressions towards it. However, the awareness that leadership is a disposition has been pivotal in changing my attitude. Character leadership is about shaping my inner core and becoming a better version of myself, without attempting to manipulate others. It's a personal growth process that involves understanding and reconciling with myself and navigating my path towards greater confidence, determination, and the ability to lead my life.
Everyone has the potential to become a leader
I used to believe that only extroverts could lead effectively since they tend to be better at expressing their ideas. However, after joining Lead for Life, I now understand that everyone has the potential to become a leader. As an introvert, I possess strengths in listening and understanding others' perspectives. By leveraging these strengths and practicing articulating my opinions, I can achieve growth in character leadership.
Inspiring others through the character we have
For me, character leadership means more than just managing a group or delegating tasks but revolves around the virtue of teamwork. A character leader inspires others to work or act because of the character with which they approach their work and all aspects of life. They act as role models for people to follow, not necessarily because they hold a position of authority. Any ordinary person with character can be a leader. When such a person inspires others to behave positively, a team works much more efficiently.
Admirable qualities in mentors and peers that motivate me
Character leadership is leading by example, making values apparent through actions, and influencing others to pursue their versions of excellence in the process. In my Lead for Life group, I observed admirable qualities in both mentors and peers, such as integrity, courage, and perseverance. Seeing firsthand how these qualities bring positive impacts to their lives and surroundings motivates me to do the same. Leading is not about authority, but about the positive changes and influences one can bring to another person's life and environment.
Fostering an environment where everyone can thrive
During my Lead for Life journey, I have grown both personally and professionally. I've learned that true leadership is not just about achieving individual goals but fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. It's about recognizing the strengths of others, empowering them, and working collaboratively towards shared aspirations. As a leader, I've embraced challenges, cultivated resilience, and honed the ability to inspire and uplift those around me.
Our Vision
Inspiring and empowering students to become effective leaders with strong character and competencies, transforming communities into flourishing environments for all.
Our Mission
- Nurturing flourishing, virtuous communities
- Guiding students to discover potential and purpose
- Developing leaders of character to impact the world
