Dr Ujang Suwarna Gives Important Keys to be Able to be a Successful Today’s Leader

The Director of Student Affairs at IPB University, Dr Ujang Suwarna, provided several important keys so that the younger generation can become successful leaders in this era. According to him, changes that are so fast must be anticipated by a change leader.

The key that is referred to is to become a change trendsetter, have the characteristics of agile learners and have high creativity.

“In the future, leaders must be able to see that the future competition lies in the competition of imagination and creativity. Great and strong leaders must have high creativity, not only in intelligence," he said in the Monthly Leadership Upgrading activity in front of Muslim students from all over Indonesia with the theme 'Today's Leadership Success' by Sahabat Subuh and Global Leadership Qiyadatul Ummah, ( 15/4).

"Besides intelligence, there are other important things, namely the sharpness of vision, initiative and creativity so that they can influence the surrounding environment and be able to change the world," he continued.

He explained that the younger generation must be able to become leaders of change. Trying to be at the forefront as a trendsetter and starting a step ahead so that it becomes a reference for other leaders.

"Change leaders must be the first choice that is dreamed of within themselves so they can become agents of change, not followers of change, spectators of change, or opponents of change," added Dr Ujang.

He said, the followers of change will always follow other leaders. Spectators of change are unable to contribute to change. Meanwhile, opponents of change are too often in the comfort zone and run away from reality.

“The change must be a challenge to be able to provide change. Dreams are the starting point as motivation, especially described in the form of a vision in leadership," added Dr Ujang.

In addition, he added, today's successful leaders must also have the character of courage, self-confidence, high imagination, strong initiative and the ability to influence others so that they can have a multi-stakeholder effect.

These characteristics can be possessed by agile learners. Agile learners have a seedbed of imagination and forethought to breed innovation.

“Innovators are curious for novelty and learn substantially. Wherever they are is used as a school and everyone around them is used as a teacher," he concluded. (MW/Rz) (IAAS/Hap)