it’s a bold world it’s a messy world but it’s an exciting world now in this
it’s an exciting world now in this
it’s an exciting world now in this exciting mess that we live in who’s
exciting mess that we live in who’s
exciting mess that we live in who’s going to clean it up not our parents not
going to clean it up not our parents not
going to clean it up not our parents not our teachers know even our prime
our teachers know even our prime
our teachers know even our prime ministers we are this generation here
ministers we are this generation here
ministers we are this generation here today is going to clean up the world
today is going to clean up the world
today is going to clean up the world because we have a responsibility to
because we have a responsibility to
because we have a responsibility to bring about positive change and if not
bring about positive change and if not
bring about positive change and if not us who else but what is leadership my
us who else but what is leadership my
us who else but what is leadership my journey on this topic of what is
journey on this topic of what is
journey on this topic of what is leadership and how we can unlock her
leadership and how we can unlock her
leadership and how we can unlock her inner leaders started in this very
inner leaders started in this very
inner leaders started in this very building just down the corridor it was
building just down the corridor it was
building just down the corridor it was September 2014 and I was asked by my
September 2014 and I was asked by my
September 2014 and I was asked by my personal statement supervisor are
personal statement supervisor are
personal statement supervisor are leaders born or are leaders made and
leaders born or are leaders made and
leaders born or are leaders made and three years on I stand by my answer that
three years on I stand by my answer that
three years on I stand by my answer that leaders are made they are made through a
leaders are made they are made through a
leaders are made they are made through a constant process of reflection leading
constant process of reflection leading
constant process of reflection leading by example and doing with a smile on
by example and doing with a smile on
by example and doing with a smile on their face because see leadership is not
their face because see leadership is not
their face because see leadership is not a gift
a gift
a gift it doesn’t come with titles it comes
it doesn’t come with titles it comes
it doesn’t come with titles it comes with gaining the trust and influence of
with gaining the trust and influence of
with gaining the trust and influence of those around you by building faith by
those around you by building faith by
those around you by building faith by leading by example going above and
leading by example going above and
leading by example going above and beyond empowering others and believing
beyond empowering others and believing
beyond empowering others and believing in it see the world we live in today is
in it see the world we live in today is
in it see the world we live in today is very similar to Game of Thrones Westeros
very similar to Game of Thrones Westeros
very similar to Game of Thrones Westeros is constrained of economic political and
is constrained of economic political and
is constrained of economic political and social turmoil
social turmoil
social turmoil whether it’s backstabbing between
whether it’s backstabbing between
whether it’s backstabbing between families such as the Lannisters a social
families such as the Lannisters a social
families such as the Lannisters a social uprising but there’s a new generation on
uprising but there’s a new generation on
uprising but there’s a new generation on the rise a generation like us that sees
the rise a generation like us that sees
the rise a generation like us that sees a new world that can bring about
a new world that can bring about
a new world that can bring about positive change that Jon Snow’s in the
positive change that Jon Snow’s in the
positive change that Jon Snow’s in the daenerys targaryen see over the past
daenerys targaryen see over the past
daenerys targaryen see over the past seven seasons they’ve been going through
seven seasons they’ve been going through
seven seasons they’ve been going through a process to unlock they’re in a leader
a process to unlock they’re in a leader
a process to unlock they’re in a leader and they’re finally in a position now
and they’re finally in a position now
and they’re finally in a position now where they’re bringing about real
where they’re bringing about real
where they’re bringing about real credible change and it’s been a hard
credible change and it’s been a hard
credible change and it’s been a hard journey but rightfully so and they’re
journey but rightfully so and they’re
journey but rightfully so and they’re doing it with a smile because we have so
doing it with a smile because we have so
doing it with a smile because we have so much for excited about several years ago
much for excited about several years ago
much for excited about several years ago I was involved with my school hockey
I was involved with my school hockey
I was involved with my school hockey team in London and I loved playing sport
team in London and I loved playing sport
team in London and I loved playing sport and I love playing hockey and all the
and I love playing hockey and all the
and I love playing hockey and all the time my academic career where I thought
time my academic career where I thought
time my academic career where I thought in grades academic prizes teacher
in grades academic prizes teacher
in grades academic prizes teacher recognition lots of awards so I assumed
recognition lots of awards so I assumed
recognition lots of awards so I assumed that pea
that pea
that pea she just respects me I thought I’m great
she just respects me I thought I’m great
she just respects me I thought I’m great but really I had no friends I had no
but really I had no friends I had no
but really I had no friends I had no trust and I had no support for anyone
trust and I had no support for anyone
trust and I had no support for anyone around me and the problem was I didn’t
around me and the problem was I didn’t
around me and the problem was I didn’t realize before it’s too late and a case
realize before it’s too late and a case
realize before it’s too late and a case in point was in octave we were 12 games
in point was in octave we were 12 games
in point was in octave we were 12 games in the season and we hadn’t won a single
in the season and we hadn’t won a single
in the season and we hadn’t won a single match
match
match it was loss after loss after loss our
it was loss after loss after loss our
it was loss after loss after loss our coach came in he decided to quit players
coach came in he decided to quit players
coach came in he decided to quit players just come in knowing turn up at training
just come in knowing turn up at training
just come in knowing turn up at training we were with goal difference a minus 20
we were with goal difference a minus 20
we were with goal difference a minus 20 we had won a single match players used
we had won a single match players used
we had won a single match players used to be sent off every single week it was
to be sent off every single week it was
to be sent off every single week it was a complete and utter disaster I hated
a complete and utter disaster I hated
a complete and utter disaster I hated turning up in a 9:00 a.m. cold Saturday
turning up in a 9:00 a.m. cold Saturday
turning up in a 9:00 a.m. cold Saturday morning what a waste of my time but then
morning what a waste of my time but then
morning what a waste of my time but then it somewhat changed a new coach came in
it somewhat changed a new coach came in
it somewhat changed a new coach came in and he gave me the captaincy now at the
and he gave me the captaincy now at the
and he gave me the captaincy now at the time I felt great I thought finally this
time I felt great I thought finally this
time I felt great I thought finally this is my chance this gives me authority my
is my chance this gives me authority my
is my chance this gives me authority my captain’s armband gives me leadership
captain’s armband gives me leadership
captain’s armband gives me leadership what I say goes what I have to say
what I say goes what I have to say
what I say goes what I have to say matters it doesn’t matter anyone else
matters it doesn’t matter anyone else
matters it doesn’t matter anyone else has to say so I pulled everyone together
has to say so I pulled everyone together
has to say so I pulled everyone together I said okay we’re gonna do this you’re
I said okay we’re gonna do this you’re
I said okay we’re gonna do this you’re gonna play here you’re gonna play there
gonna play here you’re gonna play there
gonna play here you’re gonna play there if we want it if we want to score goals
if we want it if we want to score goals
if we want it if we want to score goals is how we’re gonna do the route we’re
is how we’re gonna do the route we’re
is how we’re gonna do the route we’re gonna go in if we have a short corner
gonna go in if we have a short corner
gonna go in if we have a short corner we’re going to like this we’re free hit
we’re going to like this we’re free hit
we’re going to like this we’re free hit we’re gonna do that I don’t care what
we’re gonna do that I don’t care what
we’re gonna do that I don’t care what else had to say I don’t even listen to
else had to say I don’t even listen to
else had to say I don’t even listen to the coach I thought use of some new guy
the coach I thought use of some new guy
the coach I thought use of some new guy it doesn’t make a difference he doesn’t
it doesn’t make a difference he doesn’t
it doesn’t make a difference he doesn’t know me he doesn’t have a team he’s
know me he doesn’t have a team he’s
know me he doesn’t have a team he’s giving me the title as I rightfully
giving me the title as I rightfully
giving me the title as I rightfully deserve that’s it
deserve that’s it
deserve that’s it 20 minutes in with three goals down it’s
20 minutes in with three goals down it’s
20 minutes in with three goals down it’s the same as always and I’m standing
the same as always and I’m standing
the same as always and I’m standing there at the back just looking around
there at the back just looking around
there at the back just looking around and I think he’s myself god these guys
and I think he’s myself god these guys
and I think he’s myself god these guys are all terrible no one can play they
are all terrible no one can play they
are all terrible no one can play they can’t even hit a ball we call ourselves
can’t even hit a ball we call ourselves
can’t even hit a ball we call ourselves the first 11 were terrible you know I
the first 11 were terrible you know I
the first 11 were terrible you know I thought to myself we need a team of just
thought to myself we need a team of just
thought to myself we need a team of just pure hashes people like me that look
pure hashes people like me that look
pure hashes people like me that look like me play like me and we finally
like me play like me and we finally
like me play like me and we finally actually start winning a few games and
actually start winning a few games and
actually start winning a few games and I’m it’s getting to the point where I’m
I’m it’s getting to the point where I’m
I’m it’s getting to the point where I’m arguing with the team argue with the
arguing with the team argue with the
arguing with the team argue with the umpire my teammates everyone and this
umpire my teammates everyone and this
umpire my teammates everyone and this guy I am marking just talking and
guy I am marking just talking and
guy I am marking just talking and talking and talking in my ear so I just
talking and talking in my ear so I just
talking and talking in my ear so I just look at him I’m shoving on the floor
look at him I’m shoving on the floor
look at him I’m shoving on the floor next thing I know the umpire goes in his
next thing I know the umpire goes in his
next thing I know the umpire goes in his pocket and sends me off so as I then sat
pocket and sends me off so as I then sat
pocket and sends me off so as I then sat there on the bench all alone
there on the bench all alone
there on the bench all alone it finally occurred to me that I can’t
it finally occurred to me that I can’t
it finally occurred to me that I can’t control my emotions I was an emotional
control my emotions I was an emotional
control my emotions I was an emotional intelligent see people used to joke with
intelligent see people used to joke with
intelligent see people used to joke with me and have fun and try be my friends
me and have fun and try be my friends
me and have fun and try be my friends plays take it the wrong way because I
plays take it the wrong way because I
plays take it the wrong way because I don’t know how I felt I don’t know what
don’t know how I felt I don’t know what
don’t know how I felt I don’t know what made me tick
made me tick
made me tick I don’t understand how I can control my
I don’t understand how I can control my
I don’t understand how I can control my emotions and my feelings I was a
emotions and my feelings I was a
emotions and my feelings I was a prisoner of my anger and my frustration
prisoner of my anger and my frustration
prisoner of my anger and my frustration so what do I do
so what do I do
so what do I do I apologize the team I apologized to my
I apologize the team I apologized to my
I apologize the team I apologized to my coach I apologized the umpire I started
coach I apologized the umpire I started
coach I apologized the umpire I started taking accountability I said to the more
taking accountability I said to the more
taking accountability I said to the more I gave them the captain’s armband back
I gave them the captain’s armband back
I gave them the captain’s armband back because I didn’t deserve it now they
because I didn’t deserve it now they
because I didn’t deserve it now they kept me captain but I never wore it
kept me captain but I never wore it
kept me captain but I never wore it again because I hadn’t earned it and I
again because I hadn’t earned it and I
again because I hadn’t earned it and I didn’t deserve it because leadership is
didn’t deserve it because leadership is
didn’t deserve it because leadership is not about I it’s not about you it’s
not about I it’s not about you it’s
not about I it’s not about you it’s about others it’s about empowering
about others it’s about empowering
about others it’s about empowering others now for me to be most intelligent
others now for me to be most intelligent
others now for me to be most intelligent I finally start to learn how to be
I finally start to learn how to be
I finally start to learn how to be self-aware now how I felt then manage
self-aware now how I felt then manage
self-aware now how I felt then manage these emotions then use this to build
these emotions then use this to build
these emotions then use this to build empathy and social relations and
empathy and social relations and
empathy and social relations and stronger team partnerships and so then
stronger team partnerships and so then
stronger team partnerships and so then as I used to pull the team together in
as I used to pull the team together in
as I used to pull the team together in every single match after that I used to
every single match after that I used to
every single match after that I used to say okay what do you think we can do how
say okay what do you think we can do how
say okay what do you think we can do how can improve what would you like to play
can improve what would you like to play
can improve what would you like to play and then we started to win games hearts
and then we started to win games hearts
and then we started to win games hearts go away we went from rock bottom 2nd in
go away we went from rock bottom 2nd in
go away we went from rock bottom 2nd in the league and we qualified for the
the league and we qualified for the
the league and we qualified for the varsity competition and what I learned
varsity competition and what I learned
varsity competition and what I learned from this that if you’re going to
from this that if you’re going to
from this that if you’re going to empower others if you’re going to lead
empower others if you’re going to lead
empower others if you’re going to lead it starts from within it’s about less
it starts from within it’s about less
it starts from within it’s about less reacting and more respecting so the
reacting and more respecting so the
reacting and more respecting so the challenge I had after that was when I
challenge I had after that was when I
challenge I had after that was when I came to the British Corps the
came to the British Corps the
came to the British Corps the Netherlands see the British won the
Netherlands see the British won the
Netherlands see the British won the Netherlands is a very special school
Netherlands is a very special school
Netherlands is a very special school with over 2300 students and 80
with over 2300 students and 80
with over 2300 students and 80 nationalities it embodies the globalised
nationalities it embodies the globalised
nationalities it embodies the globalised interconnected world that we live in
interconnected world that we live in
interconnected world that we live in today and being involved with the more
today and being involved with the more
today and being involved with the more United Nations Society
United Nations Society
United Nations Society I assumed that it will be fantastic say
I assumed that it will be fantastic say
I assumed that it will be fantastic say we used to go to conferences we should
we used to go to conferences we should
we used to go to conferences we should go to debates we have resolution
go to debates we have resolution
go to debates we have resolution meetings and you would think there were
meetings and you would think there were
meetings and you would think there were so many different ways of thinking that
so many different ways of thinking that
so many different ways of thinking that creativity innovation and culture will
creativity innovation and culture will
creativity innovation and culture will ensure that we always came out on top
ensure that we always came out on top
ensure that we always came out on top but it wasn’t the case and coming here
but it wasn’t the case and coming here
but it wasn’t the case and coming here as a new kid it’s always hard because
as a new kid it’s always hard because
as a new kid it’s always hard because you don’t want to overdo it you think I
you don’t want to overdo it you think I
you don’t want to overdo it you think I can overdo I can try too much I can say
can overdo I can try too much I can say
can overdo I can try too much I can say this and I’ll get nicknamed I’ll get
this and I’ll get nicknamed I’ll get
this and I’ll get nicknamed I’ll get tagged with certain things but there’s
tagged with certain things but there’s
tagged with certain things but there’s anything I learned is that I understand
anything I learned is that I understand
anything I learned is that I understand myself and I knew they didn’t have the
myself and I knew they didn’t have the
myself and I knew they didn’t have the time nor did I want to sit around
time nor did I want to sit around
time nor did I want to sit around twiddling my thumb’s because if you want
twiddling my thumb’s because if you want
twiddling my thumb’s because if you want to make impacts and if you want to bring
to make impacts and if you want to bring
to make impacts and if you want to bring people’s case you want to pull people
people’s case you want to pull people
people’s case you want to pull people together and inspire collective action
together and inspire collective action
together and inspire collective action you have to lead by example if the lead
you have to lead by example if the lead
you have to lead by example if the lead by doing by taking initiative and
by doing by taking initiative and
by doing by taking initiative and exactly what we did and it didn’t
exactly what we did and it didn’t
exactly what we did and it didn’t require any major strategy idea
require any major strategy idea
require any major strategy idea analytics and metrics no it’s primal
analytics and metrics no it’s primal
analytics and metrics no it’s primal it’s how you make people feel is how you
it’s how you make people feel is how you
it’s how you make people feel is how you connect with them so all I did was
connect with them so all I did was
connect with them so all I did was poured my son my friends together in the
poured my son my friends together in the
poured my son my friends together in the society and I said look there’s
society and I said look there’s
society and I said look there’s potential here we are a massive school
potential here we are a massive school
potential here we are a massive school we have so many nationalities we go to
we have so many nationalities we go to
we have so many nationalities we go to so many conferences we can build and
so many conferences we can build and
so many conferences we can build and foster a culture with least the leaders
foster a culture with least the leaders
foster a culture with least the leaders of tomorrow students will come in learn
of tomorrow students will come in learn
of tomorrow students will come in learn and develop their strengths and their
and develop their strengths and their
and develop their strengths and their weaknesses and they will go on to be
weaknesses and they will go on to be
weaknesses and they will go on to be better delegate in a world that is a
better delegate in a world that is a
better delegate in a world that is a mess because more United Nations
mess because more United Nations
mess because more United Nations embodies that world so any meetings I
embodies that world so any meetings I
embodies that world so any meetings I went to every meeting every conference
went to every meeting every conference
went to every meeting every conference gave him my all but I made sure that
gave him my all but I made sure that
gave him my all but I made sure that wherever I did and whatever anyone did
wherever I did and whatever anyone did
wherever I did and whatever anyone did or surrounded by other people because if
or surrounded by other people because if
or surrounded by other people because if you can surround yourself with the best
you can surround yourself with the best
you can surround yourself with the best researcher the best analyst the best
researcher the best analyst the best
researcher the best analyst the best marketing person the best negotiator
marketing person the best negotiator
marketing person the best negotiator lobbyists all of different strengths or
lobbyists all of different strengths or
lobbyists all of different strengths or weaknesses you start to learn from each
weaknesses you start to learn from each
weaknesses you start to learn from each other
other
other and I knew what I was good at but the
and I knew what I was good at but the
and I knew what I was good at but the trick was that I was as I was hoping
trick was that I was as I was hoping
trick was that I was as I was hoping them unlock their inner strengths and
them unlock their inner strengths and
them unlock their inner strengths and they’re in a leader they were doing the
they’re in a leader they were doing the
they’re in a leader they were doing the same for me I was developing my skills I
same for me I was developing my skills I
same for me I was developing my skills I was availing my strengths I was
was availing my strengths I was
was availing my strengths I was developing my weaknesses and I was
developing my weaknesses and I was
developing my weaknesses and I was becoming a more well-rounded person
becoming a more well-rounded person
becoming a more well-rounded person and what do we get from this I had the
and what do we get from this I had the
and what do we get from this I had the privilege to be elected as president of
privilege to be elected as president of
privilege to be elected as president of the United Nations IT going into my
the United Nations IT going into my
the United Nations IT going into my final year here
final year here
final year here but did a stop there no because I knew
but did a stop there no because I knew
but did a stop there no because I knew what I’d done before I knew the wrongs I
what I’d done before I knew the wrongs I
what I’d done before I knew the wrongs I made before so use this and I said okay
made before so use this and I said okay
made before so use this and I said okay let’s keep us going let’s build the
let’s keep us going let’s build the
let’s keep us going let’s build the momentum let’s build a culture shift
momentum let’s build a culture shift
momentum let’s build a culture shift here let’s do exactly what we’re doing
here let’s do exactly what we’re doing
here let’s do exactly what we’re doing for the last year keep it going we
for the last year keep it going we
for the last year keep it going we started to win more awards we’ve
started to win more awards we’ve
started to win more awards we’ve attended more conferences we turn in the
attended more conferences we turn in the
attended more conferences we turn in the world’s largest conference we even had
world’s largest conference we even had
world’s largest conference we even had an idea to host our own event here at
an idea to host our own event here at
an idea to host our own event here at the school and ever since then there’s
the school and ever since then there’s
the school and ever since then there’s been a succession of leaders following
been a succession of leaders following
been a succession of leaders following the same ideas following the same goals
the same ideas following the same goals
the same ideas following the same goals and building and fostering newer leaders
and building and fostering newer leaders
and building and fostering newer leaders and I had no strategy I had no ideas I’d
and I had no strategy I had no ideas I’d
and I had no strategy I had no ideas I’d really really have any marketing all it
really really have any marketing all it
really really have any marketing all it was is a mate you make people feel good
was is a mate you make people feel good
was is a mate you make people feel good by connecting and listening to them he
by connecting and listening to them he
by connecting and listening to them he lead him by doing and leading by example
lead him by doing and leading by example
lead him by doing and leading by example and now I grew up I came to the
and now I grew up I came to the
and now I grew up I came to the University of York and in my first year
University of York and in my first year
University of York and in my first year I sought out to be involved in a
I sought out to be involved in a
I sought out to be involved in a non-profit social impact consultancy by
non-profit social impact consultancy by
non-profit social impact consultancy by the name of York Community insulting
the name of York Community insulting
the name of York Community insulting what we do is we do social impact
what we do is we do social impact
what we do is we do social impact projects with charities startups local
projects with charities startups local
projects with charities startups local businesses but we also connect with
businesses but we also connect with
businesses but we also connect with major firms to bring them to our campus
major firms to bring them to our campus
major firms to bring them to our campus and host employability and skill
and host employability and skill
and host employability and skill sessions workshops with our students
sessions workshops with our students
sessions workshops with our students developing their skills and
developing their skills and
developing their skills and understanding of the industry around us
understanding of the industry around us
understanding of the industry around us and in my first year I was recruited to
and in my first year I was recruited to
and in my first year I was recruited to be project manager on a project with a
be project manager on a project with a
be project manager on a project with a local charity through its marketing and
local charity through its marketing and
local charity through its marketing and financial awareness I thought it’s a
financial awareness I thought it’s a
financial awareness I thought it’s a great opportunity great chance for me to
great opportunity great chance for me to
great opportunity great chance for me to continue developing my skills and either
continue developing my skills and either
continue developing my skills and either stepped into the role I could tell the
stepped into the role I could tell the
stepped into the role I could tell the team was in disarray the previous
team was in disarray the previous
team was in disarray the previous project managed had been fired the team
project managed had been fired the team
project managed had been fired the team wanted to quit the client was unhappy
wanted to quit the client was unhappy
wanted to quit the client was unhappy that Executive Committee wanted to shut
that Executive Committee wanted to shut
that Executive Committee wanted to shut us down but there was opportunity there
us down but there was opportunity there
us down but there was opportunity there was a chance to make an impact again
was a chance to make an impact again
was a chance to make an impact again because if I could connect with others
because if I could connect with others
because if I could connect with others if I understood myself and I connect
if I understood myself and I connect
if I understood myself and I connect with others and I could lead by
with others and I could lead by
with others and I could lead by initiative lead by doing then there was
initiative lead by doing then there was
initiative lead by doing then there was so much potential so I sat down with the
so much potential so I sat down with the
so much potential so I sat down with the team with the client and I said okay
team with the client and I said okay
team with the client and I said okay what’s gone wrong here how can we make
what’s gone wrong here how can we make
what’s gone wrong here how can we make this better we started to understand the
this better we started to understand the
this better we started to understand the reasons why the project was failing why
reasons why the project was failing why
reasons why the project was failing why the client was unhappy why the team
the client was unhappy why the team
the client was unhappy why the team wanted to quit and from that we started
wanted to quit and from that we started
wanted to quit and from that we started to develop and we grew we made processes
to develop and we grew we made processes
to develop and we grew we made processes we thought about it
we thought about it
we thought about it and by reminding everyone why we entered
and by reminding everyone why we entered
and by reminding everyone why we entered this in the first place what was our
this in the first place what was our
this in the first place what was our original common purpose to bring social
original common purpose to bring social
original common purpose to bring social impact and to develop our skills the
impact and to develop our skills the
impact and to develop our skills the project was a massive success in space
project was a massive success in space
project was a massive success in space of six weeks rather than 10 we turned it
of six weeks rather than 10 we turned it
of six weeks rather than 10 we turned it round we won an award for social impact
round we won an award for social impact
round we won an award for social impact and I thought great goal achieved
and I thought great goal achieved
and I thought great goal achieved clients happy I’m happy
clients happy I’m happy
clients happy I’m happy teams happy it’s all good but then it
teams happy it’s all good but then it
teams happy it’s all good but then it changed because you see I realized what
changed because you see I realized what
changed because you see I realized what we did was great bringing social impact
we did was great bringing social impact
we did was great bringing social impact providing opportunities for students
providing opportunities for students
providing opportunities for students there’s nothing like it but we could do
there’s nothing like it but we could do
there’s nothing like it but we could do more and if we all we needed was to
more and if we all we needed was to
more and if we all we needed was to connect and integrate more students so I
connect and integrate more students so I
connect and integrate more students so I wanted to launch a consulting conference
wanted to launch a consulting conference
wanted to launch a consulting conference an event to bring students here from all
an event to bring students here from all
an event to bring students here from all sorts of different universities and
sorts of different universities and
sorts of different universities and connect them with all the major firms to
connect them with all the major firms to
connect them with all the major firms to give them an insight into what’s
give them an insight into what’s
give them an insight into what’s happening teach them the skills so we
happening teach them the skills so we
happening teach them the skills so we can be more social impact more projects
can be more social impact more projects
can be more social impact more projects and be even better so apply for the
and be even better so apply for the
and be even better so apply for the position of Managing Partner the top
position of Managing Partner the top
position of Managing Partner the top position in this organization and I
position in this organization and I
position in this organization and I thought to myself well they’ve recruited
thought to myself well they’ve recruited
thought to myself well they’ve recruited me for a project that has been a
me for a project that has been a
me for a project that has been a complete and utter disaster I turn it
complete and utter disaster I turn it
complete and utter disaster I turn it around was a great success I’ve got all
around was a great success I’ve got all
around was a great success I’ve got all these great ideas I’ve shown what I can
these great ideas I’ve shown what I can
these great ideas I’ve shown what I can do in the past I could be most telogen I
do in the past I could be most telogen I
do in the past I could be most telogen I can lead by example so surely they’re
can lead by example so surely they’re
can lead by example so surely they’re not gonna turn me down but there’s
not gonna turn me down but there’s
not gonna turn me down but there’s exactly what they did
exactly what they did
exactly what they did they said no I kind of sat there sitting
they said no I kind of sat there sitting
they said no I kind of sat there sitting to myself like thinking why they just
to myself like thinking why they just
to myself like thinking why they just turned me down why have you wasted my
turned me down why have you wasted my
turned me down why have you wasted my time why did you bring me in for a new
time why did you bring me in for a new
time why did you bring me in for a new project to save and then deliver and
project to save and then deliver and
project to save and then deliver and then you’re saying now no I was an
then you’re saying now no I was an
then you’re saying now no I was an egotistical I wanted the position
egotistical I wanted the position
egotistical I wanted the position because I thought I could bring impact
because I thought I could bring impact
because I thought I could bring impact because I believed the authority and the
because I believed the authority and the
because I believed the authority and the title would give me the command and the
title would give me the command and the
title would give me the command and the resources necessary to bring about the
resources necessary to bring about the
resources necessary to bring about the idea and change I needed but they just
idea and change I needed but they just
idea and change I needed but they just said no and in the end at the end of the
said no and in the end at the end of the
said no and in the end at the end of the interview they offered me some measly
interview they offered me some measly
interview they offered me some measly lower wrong position and I sat there
lower wrong position and I sat there
lower wrong position and I sat there thinking well am I gonna shake this
thinking well am I gonna shake this
thinking well am I gonna shake this guy’s hand do I really want this not so
guy’s hand do I really want this not so
guy’s hand do I really want this not so much but I took it I said fine okay see
much but I took it I said fine okay see
much but I took it I said fine okay see what we can do but then they got worse
what we can do but then they got worse
what we can do but then they got worse and it got worse I used to attend these
and it got worse I used to attend these
and it got worse I used to attend these meetings committee meetings I used to
meetings committee meetings I used to
meetings committee meetings I used to hate it I
hate it I
hate it I to see someone else in the position I
to see someone else in the position I
to see someone else in the position I really wanted I wanted that job I
really wanted I wanted that job I
really wanted I wanted that job I deserved that job I wanted to bring
deserved that job I wanted to bring
deserved that job I wanted to bring about change and I felt I needed that
about change and I felt I needed that
about change and I felt I needed that title that authority that stamp to make
title that authority that stamp to make
title that authority that stamp to make it happen and I used to look at him
it happen and I used to look at him
it happen and I used to look at him whenever he talked tastes just hate
whenever he talked tastes just hate
whenever he talked tastes just hate myself like why is this happening you
myself like why is this happening you
myself like why is this happening you step ten minutes speak I just have two
step ten minutes speak I just have two
step ten minutes speak I just have two minutes to speak so what’s the point of
minutes to speak so what’s the point of
minutes to speak so what’s the point of me even being here it’s all wasting my
me even being here it’s all wasting my
me even being here it’s all wasting my time and for a moment I thought about
time and for a moment I thought about
time and for a moment I thought about quitting
quitting
quitting I remember I sat there my room my
I remember I sat there my room my
I remember I sat there my room my university room so I typed up an email
university room so I typed up an email
university room so I typed up an email saying I just can’t deal with it I don’t
saying I just can’t deal with it I don’t
saying I just can’t deal with it I don’t want this anymore I’m not enjoying I’m
want this anymore I’m not enjoying I’m
want this anymore I’m not enjoying I’m not having fun and I wrote up the email
not having fun and I wrote up the email
not having fun and I wrote up the email and I wanted to quit and as I’ve sat
and I wanted to quit and as I’ve sat
and I wanted to quit and as I’ve sat there going to the moments going to the
there going to the moments going to the
there going to the moments going to the process I started to think I said why am
process I started to think I said why am
process I started to think I said why am I really quitting here because I didn’t
I really quitting here because I didn’t
I really quitting here because I didn’t have a title and then I thought back I
have a title and then I thought back I
have a title and then I thought back I said I really want to be that hockey
said I really want to be that hockey
said I really want to be that hockey player there needs it feels they needs a
player there needs it feels they needs a
player there needs it feels they needs a title just to bring about change because
title just to bring about change because
title just to bring about change because I showed that I didn’t I didn’t need the
I showed that I didn’t I didn’t need the
I showed that I didn’t I didn’t need the captaincy because we finished second do
captaincy because we finished second do
captaincy because we finished second do I need that presidency the Model United
I need that presidency the Model United
I need that presidency the Model United Nations to build a culture shift no you
Nations to build a culture shift no you
Nations to build a culture shift no you started before that just by leading by
started before that just by leading by
started before that just by leading by doing and in this nonprofit as I was
doing and in this nonprofit as I was
doing and in this nonprofit as I was about to quit I realized I don’t need a
about to quit I realized I don’t need a
about to quit I realized I don’t need a title don’t need to be managing partner
title don’t need to be managing partner
title don’t need to be managing partner it doesn’t make a difference it’s just a
it doesn’t make a difference it’s just a
it doesn’t make a difference it’s just a thing you add to your CV to make you
thing you add to your CV to make you
thing you add to your CV to make you stand out a bit more and I thought what
stand out a bit more and I thought what
stand out a bit more and I thought what do I really care about care about this
do I really care about care about this
do I really care about care about this conference I care about bringing this
conference I care about bringing this
conference I care about bringing this idea to life because of the potential it
idea to life because of the potential it
idea to life because of the potential it can bring to our society connecting more
can bring to our society connecting more
can bring to our society connecting more students bringing firms in expanding who
students bringing firms in expanding who
students bringing firms in expanding who we are and our brand so that’s what I
we are and our brand so that’s what I
we are and our brand so that’s what I did I started to believe in the idea I
did I started to believe in the idea I
did I started to believe in the idea I started take control of it I understood
started take control of it I understood
started take control of it I understood who I was what I was about and I
who I was what I was about and I
who I was what I was about and I connected with others and most of all I
connected with others and most of all I
connected with others and most of all I started to smile because life is
started to smile because life is
started to smile because life is exciting it’s a mess but it’s exciting
exciting it’s a mess but it’s exciting
exciting it’s a mess but it’s exciting there’s opportunities that all we have
there’s opportunities that all we have
there’s opportunities that all we have to do is take advantage of and by
to do is take advantage of and by
to do is take advantage of and by smiling people start to take notice they
smiling people start to take notice they
smiling people start to take notice they started to care because how you feel if
started to care because how you feel if
started to care because how you feel if you can be most intelligent and you can
you can be most intelligent and you can
you can be most intelligent and you can lead by example how you feel with
lead by example how you feel with
lead by example how you feel with contagious remember leadership is prime
contagious remember leadership is prime
contagious remember leadership is prime it’s resonance it’s emotional people
it’s resonance it’s emotional people
it’s resonance it’s emotional people started to care they jumped on the
started to care they jumped on the
started to care they jumped on the bandwagon we started to get a team
bandwagon we started to get a team
bandwagon we started to get a team because originally I also funding they
because originally I also funding they
because originally I also funding they said they asked for resources they said
said they asked for resources they said
said they asked for resources they said no I asked for extra support they said
no I asked for extra support they said
no I asked for extra support they said no but now people wanted to join they
no but now people wanted to join they
no but now people wanted to join they want to be part of this movement this
want to be part of this movement this
want to be part of this movement this momentum build we had a team we had
momentum build we had a team we had
momentum build we had a team we had funding with resources was it hard yes
funding with resources was it hard yes
funding with resources was it hard yes did I care no why because I was loving
did I care no why because I was loving
did I care no why because I was loving it I was enjoying it the first 20
it I was enjoying it the first 20
it I was enjoying it the first 20 speakers we approached the company event
speakers we approached the company event
speakers we approached the company event all said no the next 10 said yes we
all said no the next 10 said yes we
all said no the next 10 said yes we applied for scholarships we applied for
applied for scholarships we applied for
applied for scholarships we applied for funding got rejected we walked into a
funding got rejected we walked into a
funding got rejected we walked into a pub quiz and came out with a thousand
pub quiz and came out with a thousand
pub quiz and came out with a thousand pounds and was the best day because we
pounds and was the best day because we
pounds and was the best day because we were all so happy about it and this is
were all so happy about it and this is
were all so happy about it and this is the power of a smile because when you
the power of a smile because when you
the power of a smile because when you start to take initiative and you start
start to take initiative and you start
start to take initiative and you start to believe in your idea other people
to believe in your idea other people
to believe in your idea other people want to be part of it and what happened
want to be part of it and what happened
want to be part of it and what happened we had a great event it was the first
we had a great event it was the first
we had a great event it was the first time thing that’s ever happened we
time thing that’s ever happened we
time thing that’s ever happened we connected a hundred students from five
connected a hundred students from five
connected a hundred students from five different universities and it was free
different universities and it was free
different universities and it was free we brought up all the major firms and
we brought up all the major firms and
we brought up all the major firms and students were able to secure work
students were able to secure work
students were able to secure work experience from this event developing
experience from this event developing
experience from this event developing their employability and their skills and
their employability and their skills and
their employability and their skills and what do I get out of it fulfillment it’s
what do I get out of it fulfillment it’s
what do I get out of it fulfillment it’s the best thing I’ve ever done I didn’t
the best thing I’ve ever done I didn’t
the best thing I’ve ever done I didn’t need a title I don’t need a stamp of
need a title I don’t need a stamp of
need a title I don’t need a stamp of authority or recognition because I
authority or recognition because I
authority or recognition because I believed in the idea and it did of a
believed in the idea and it did of a
believed in the idea and it did of a smile on my face and they made me CEO a
smile on my face and they made me CEO a
smile on my face and they made me CEO a position that didn’t even exist and to
position that didn’t even exist and to
position that didn’t even exist and to me that was almost a sense of
me that was almost a sense of
me that was almost a sense of achievement I felt great but it wasn’t
achievement I felt great but it wasn’t
achievement I felt great but it wasn’t like before now I was like his a chance
like before now I was like his a chance
like before now I was like his a chance for me to continue doing what I’m
for me to continue doing what I’m
for me to continue doing what I’m already doing
already doing
already doing has my role changed slightly but has
has my role changed slightly but has
has my role changed slightly but has what I do as a person no I still try and
what I do as a person no I still try and
what I do as a person no I still try and build trust through influence but being
build trust through influence but being
build trust through influence but being friendly with the purpose bringing
friendly with the purpose bringing
friendly with the purpose bringing people bringing people together
people bringing people together
people bringing people together inspiring collective action I try to
inspiring collective action I try to
inspiring collective action I try to understand them so so anyone who’s here
understand them so so anyone who’s here
understand them so so anyone who’s here today I said the style is incumbent on
today I said the style is incumbent on
today I said the style is incumbent on us to change this world
us to change this world
us to change this world we don’t need titles we don’t need
we don’t need titles we don’t need
we don’t need titles we don’t need recognition leadership is an infinite
recognition leadership is an infinite
recognition leadership is an infinite game you develop it over time
game you develop it over time
game you develop it over time what you need is to understand yourself
what you need is to understand yourself
what you need is to understand yourself be most intelligent lead by example lead
be most intelligent lead by example lead
be most intelligent lead by example lead by doing and deal with a smile on your
by doing and deal with a smile on your
by doing and deal with a smile on your face because there’s so much be sighted
face because there’s so much be sighted
face because there’s so much be sighted about so let’s be bold take initiative
about so let’s be bold take initiative
about so let’s be bold take initiative and let’s change the world thank you
and let’s change the world thank you
and let’s change the world thank you [Applause]
”
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