Possessing leadership qualities from an age so young is something we rarely get to see. Using those leadership qualities to make an impacting change and fighting against all odds to do so, is true bravery and leadership combined. Such are the unique characteristics that a young lady from Pakistan possesses. This young lady has been recognized globally for her remarkable qualities and willingness to fight for the education rights of girls in her country. This young lady is no other than Malala Yousafzai. Malala has had a unique vision from the start. She had shown extreme bravery and to go against even Taliban to make her voice heard, maintaining massive determination in face of immense difficulties.
For that courage, Malala has received several recognitions and awards globally and she is currently still working towards making a difference for her people. The qualities of true leadership are possessed by her. A true leader does not forget the roots from which he or she belongs, they rather work towards always bettering them and making chances of growth. At such a young age, Malala wished to make a difference for her people, fed up with the constant distress she had to face as a young girl in Pakistan. The moment she thought it was enough, there was no looking back for her. Despite the consequences she faced, Malala gained massive powerful momentum and continued on her quest for a difference, that has led her to where she is today. Malala Yousafzai’s unique leadership qualities are extraordinary and noteworthy. There are so many lessons we can all take away from them.
Get the original Malala Yousafzai story here
Take A Stand For What You Believe In
As a young girl growing up in Pakistan, Malala and her family lived in constant fear of the Taliban. She lived in Swat valley which is an area in Northern Pakistan. Malala’s family was a more progressive one and allowed their daughter to carry on with education. However, this was made impossible by the Taliban who started bombing various schools in her area.
This was a very depressing state for a bright young girl to carry out. Many young girls her age were terrified by this. These girls were then forced to stay at home, rather than acquire education. Their dreams of gaining education were slowly falling apart. At this point, the 11 year old Malala decided that she would not accept this. Her dream could not fall apart just because of some grown men who didn’t want girls to study.
She defied everyone and continued to go to school for an education. She stood with what she believed in, no matter what the consequences were. Apart from this, she let the world hear her voice. She wrote for BBC Urdu (the Pakistani BBC) anonymously to inform them about the situation she was undergoing. Her blog soon went viral globally, but it did not change her situation.
Malala wanted to make a difference, through her own identity. She began to speak to various journalists on the radio and television both domestically and internationally. There was now a personality attached to the voice that longed being heard. The world was now ready to listen to what she had to say.
Despite the various death threats Malala faced, she stood with what she believed in. She was not afraid of the consequences. At such a young age, all she cared about was making a difference and being heard. For any leader, it is common for them to face hurdles as they start. Moving forward against initial difficulties is probably the most important phase for actualizing any vision. Getting through the hurdles is what makes you a true leader. Even if nobody stands with you and your vision, be firm in what you believe in. Don’t quiet down – your voice will soon be heard.
Search For Your Story
The path to becoming a useful and influential leader when tackling a big problem is a tough one, as faced by Malala. Many people will be against you and will discourage you from the goal you wish to achieve. You should not let this impact you one bit. The voices outside you don’t change what you have inside you. The reason you are standing for something is because you know that the situation cannot stay as it is now, something has to change and someone must take action, and you cannot remain quiet anymore.
Remind yourself constantly of the story that has led you to the place where you stand today. People do not understand your views because they have not been through what you have. Your voice matters because you have been through such experiences and struggles that your aspirations for a struggle-free life are legitimate.
This is exactly what Malala did. Malala searched for her story to show people her true beliefs towards where she stands today. She wanted to inspire people through her struggles and her story. This connection was her secret for perseverance. In order to get your message across efficiently, you must be able to tell your story.
Be Unapologetically Yourself
Do not ever forget your roots. Just like Malala, who still recognizes the needs of her people in Pakistan. She associates herself with Pakistani girls and fights for their rights continually.
Trust and honesty in your vision will eventually help you in achieving your goal. Persuade others with what you truly believe in by simply being yourself. As a leader, it is not necessary for you to act like someone else as a means to impress others. People will be inspired by your story if you put forward your true self in front of them. People are compelled by authenticity, don’t be afraid to show who you are. Always remain genuine and honest, people will be inspired by your true personality.
Listen To What Others Have To Say
Currently, Malala not only advocates for education and the rights of young girls in her country but also for other underprivileged countries like Gaza, Kenya, Nigeria, etc. She wants to make a difference globally, for every girl who can associate with her story.
This, however, does not mean that she acts as if she knows the stories of all girls residing internationally. In fact, she keeps her ears open, reaching out to young women who need her help, and by that improving her ability to fine-tune her message and leverage her current influence and global recognition, in order to become a better leader for girls all around the world.
As a leader, it is important for you to listen to the needs of your people. Listen carefully and incorporate what others have to say. Malala ensures that she gets insightful feedback from the people she is working for, before carrying out any campaigns. She wants to make a genuine impact and this can only be done if she listens carefully to the needs of those affected by her acts and vision.
Constantly Remind Yourself Of Your True Goal
The picture of your vision should be imprinted onto your mind. You should constantly remind yourself of your dream, so you do not go astray. You should remember that, the path towards achieving your goal may change, but your dream will always remain the same. To achieve it, you must remember what it looks like, on a constant basis.
This is exactly what Malala did, and keeps doing. At first, she started off advocating for the rights of women in Pakistan, fighting the Taliban for actualizing her vision and dream. As her voice became recognized globally, she understood that she could now make a greater impact. She can fight for changing the lives of young women globally, rather than only in her country. This is what she is doing today. Malala aims to make a constant impact for women globally, with her efforts towards providing education and rights to them, no matter what the condition of the country is. Her inevitable goal is to advocate for womenrights and this is exactly what she focuses on and reminds herself of constantly.
Malala’s Message To The World
As a young Pakistani Girl, Malala started and led a global movement that stood solely for girls. She was merely a young teenager who had a vision. There was nothing that stood between her and her goal. Society had made Malala so fed up of the way young girls were treated. There was no other way for her to seek what she wanted for herself and other girls, rather than speaking up herself. She began blogging through the BBC channel as a means to getting her voice heard. This led the world to becoming more aware of the situations young girls in Pakistan were undergoing. She advocated strongly for gender equality and rights towards education for women.
The consequences she faced were rough. Malala faced several death threats from Taliban for the work she was carrying out. She was shot by Taliban forces on her quest for her vision in 2012, as she was on her way back from school one day. This did not stop Malala. This shortcoming only made her stronger. She now felt a greater sense of power within her and longing for achieving her goal. Malala worked tirelessly to make the voice of her movement heard. Eventually, it was.
Like a black swan that transforms our reality, the fact that we couldn’t imagine or predict Malala’s vision and perseverance, didn’t stop her from changing the world.
Get the original Malala Yousafzai story here
Today, Malala is globally recognized as an advocate for women’s rights and youth activism. She is an extremely courageous woman who possesses great knowledge and historic leadership skills. Her willingness to defy against all odds and stand against the Taliban for her voice to be heard shows how she has no fears. She is a mentor for many women and is admired greatly for her profound bravery.
