Leadership beyond the title

Staff reporter
  • 3 Days Ago

For Uatiavihe Horohua, being Head Boy is not simply about holding a title or telling people what to do. It is about earning respect, listening to students’ concerns and finding ways to bring his peers and the school administration together.

One of the biggest challenges he has faced is convincing the school management to compromise on student events, particularly when financial concerns make it difficult to approve certain activities. These disagreements have often created funding challenges, but Uatiavihe has continued to advocate for opportunities that benefit students.

“Seeing a stressed classmate finally smile when an event worked out made every late-night argument worth it,” he says.

Through the role, Uatiavihe has learnt the importance of identifying problems before they become bigger issues. He believes a good leader should pay attention to changes in people’s behaviour and address concerns while they are still manageable.

“A wise leader notices small changes before they become habits and addresses them while they are still manageable,” he says.

His experience has also changed his understanding of leadership. He has learnt that being a leader does not mean always being right or having the final say. Instead, it requires humility, patience and a willingness to listen.

Ultimately, serving as Head Boy has taught Uatiavihe that true leadership is about more than authority. It is about being accountable, remaining open to correction and putting the needs of others before one’s ego.

For him, leadership means listening more than speaking and growing alongside the people he leads.