6th SNCO Course

Firstly, let me express my gratitude to all those who have nominated me for the Best Theory award. Also, on behalf of all those who have attended the course, I would like to thank the various people contributing to its success. Immediately, the various senior officers, AFIs, and CLTs come to mind. They have certainly helped us in many ways throughout the course, and were each crucial to the success.

However, I would also like to focus on another crucial group of people: our peers. Without the co-operation, inspiration, and support of all these people, the course would have been in vain. A pointless pursuit, nothing achieved, nothing completed. Close peers will become friends, seen everywhere, however, we often take them too lightly. On occasion we may simply disrespect their point of view, or ignore them.

Relationships are delicate. One small careless slip of the tongue may upset the fragile equilibrium we know so well. Treasure your friends, and they will support you when you need it most. When you need a helping, some advice, or maybe just a listening ear, you will go to one you can trust. These are your friends. Believe in them, encourage them, stand by them.

Without being able to appreciate others, their skills, their personalities, one will be a lousy leader. Such a person would not be able to effectively instruct people and co-ordinate activities. As such, how is this leader supposed to do anything? It will not be possible.

An important part of leadership is to train successors. Without a successor, there will not be continuity within the organization. Not only are leaders important, they need to constantly improve themselves, and thus, the leaders you train must be even better than yourself.

There are several important traits of leaders, but I emphasize on the following - Integrity, Responsibility, Empathy, Righteousness, and Knowledge. With these, anyone can lead well.

Believe in yourself, reflect on your life, and make it worthwhile.

Done By: Nicholas Sim Wei Sheng
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)