What makes a leader?

I personally feel that leaders are the noblest of people. I believe leaders rise to the occassion, driven by monstrous will and determination and yet at the same time most probably having no idea that they have it in them to do that.

I watched X-Men: First Class finally last night and it was such a treat. For starters, I love those moments when you are caught off guard and thrown into this thinking-frenzy. I have come to realized that these sought-after thinking-frenzies are easily initiated by great movies.

Yes, back to X-Men. I simply adore Charles Xavier! He reminds me of my role as a teacher, in the leadership aspect. I like seeing how confident he is about doing what he is doing, and that ulfaltering faith of understanding and knowing what he is doing is what he has to and needs to do. He is as normal as any other mutant but yet he assumed his role not ever questioning why he has to do all the hard work.


This sets me into thinking about institute and Teach For Malaysia and the education system in Malaysia, my students, my parents, my vision, and He who has sent me forth into this mission. I am indeed a leader in the classroom but I am a leader who has yet to visualize her mission.

I miss having quiet moments. The rare few moments where I can tolerate nature, no, actually embace nature and talk to Him and listen to Him. I miss my bus stop, I miss the heights.

A leader who does not know her position and has no idea where the pack is headed to is definitely headed for trouble. I do pity my kids because I yell at them day after day because they did not do what I expected kids to do and not achieving my targets. I yell and yell sometimes because I need to find excuses, or I just need to do that because teachers do these things.


I am passionate about education. I cried reading Hillary Clinton's "It takes a village to raise a child". Teach For Malaysia's goals and missions resonates my aspirations. God has sent me visions to tell me that I need to serve the disadvantaged through education. My parents stressed on the importance of eduction. I myself could not get enough of upgrading myself in knowledge and in values.


But yet, as a leader, I am failing. I did not assume my position (maybe I did when I was offended by all kinds of actions of my kids that challenged my authority). I did not communicate our direction. What makes Charles Xavier so successful as a leader is that he won his followers' hearts, just like that. It was so clear that he was doing something that is right and that all the followers are part of it. And they are doing it together.


I have no idea how I can do that, but this is surely a turning point for me. The question is staring at me right at the face, and I could not duck.


And, I will definitely make sure I answer that. And translates that in class.