what we do
CHARACTER
LEADERSHIP
what we do
CHARACTER
LEADERSHIP
At Lead for Life, we believe that leadership is more than just a position; it’s a disposition. We view every individual as a potential character leader. Character leadership involves developing self-awareness of who you are now, and continuously striving to be the best version of yourself for the future. This lifelong journey is focused on influencing others towards virtuous and flourishing lives together.
Our Community
Community is the cornerstone of the Lead for Life approach. We are committed to teaching, modelling, and practicing character leadership collectively. To foster this environment, we create small mentor group communities for our students, where they can forge lifelong friendships and support each other’s growth. The central Lead for Life events offer opportunities for students to meet the larger family of the extended community across different mentor groups and year cohorts.
Holistic Transformative Learning
Our holistic transformative learning approach examines virtues not merely as intellectual concepts, but to be affectively embraced, practically embodied, and that inspire commitment to aspirational communal change. This is reflected in our Head, Heart, Hands, and Hope model:
- The ‘Head’ domain represents our cognitive understanding of virtues, focusing on how we perceive their meanings to shape our worldview.
- The ‘Heart’ domain encapsulates our affective response to virtues, exploring how they influence our attitudes and motivations.
- The ‘Hands’ domain symbolizes the active embodiment of virtues in real-life lived experiences, supporting their translation from thought and feeling into action, supported by necessary skills and tools.
- The ‘Hope’ domain represents our aspirational goal setting, where we envision the potential for positive change. With virtues serving as our guiding light, we are inspired to work towards the flourishing of our communities.
As we make a positive impact on our community, our experiences will further enrich and deepen our understanding of the virtue, creating a continuous cycle of growth and learning.
Hear Our Student Stories
My understanding of leadership has significantly evolved
My understanding of leadership has significantly evolved this semester. Previously, I associated the concept of leadership with self-confidence, pride, and honour. However, I now realize that character leadership is more about being a servant leader who utilises empathy, communication, and self-awareness as powerful tools to foster flourishing relationships.
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.
My Lead for Life experience has been a profound journey of self-discovery and growth. By focusing on developing essential character leadership qualities such as friendliness, courage, and gratitude, and by engaging in activities that challenge and inspire me, I am confident that I will continue flourishing as a leader. The journey ahead holds great promise for further growth, and I am excited to embrace the opportunities that await.
Bringing my vision of flourishing closer to reality
My perspective on flourishing goes beyond success or happiness. It's about achieving a harmonious balance in life, where personal growth, relationships, and contributions to society all thrive. My vision of a flourishing life includes continuous learning, meaningful relationships, and significant community impact. Lead for Life has been instrumental in bringing this vision closer to reality. I've learned to value different perspectives, foster deeper connections with peers, and understand the importance of giving back to the community.
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.
Copyright © 2021-2024 Lead for Life, The University of Hong Kong. All rights reserved.