As part of the Leaders program at my university, I've been asked to reflect on what leadership means to me. This past year has been transformative, shaping my understanding of leadership across three key areas: military service, student union work, and entrepreneurship.
In the wake of October 7th, I was called up for reserve duty. Initially stationed in the north, we later spent months fighting in Gaza. As a commander, a role I had previously taken for granted, I found myself in a critical leadership position. Leading close friends/brothers, really in wartime, with their absolute trust in me, and making life or death decisions under pressure, gave me a profound sense of responsibility and leadership. These challenging situations taught me the importance of remaining steady and determined, even when the odds seemed insurmountable.
Upon returning to university, I resumed my role as Head of Academic Affairs in the student union. Here, I represented the student body to university management and led academic initiatives during this challenging period. Managing a team of seven, I developed new skills: communicating with senior officials, thinking creatively, navigating internal politics, and standing firm when necessary. There were certainly some difficult moments, but each obstacle I overcame made me stronger. This role taught me invaluable lessons about management, representation, and leading people in a dynamic, changing environment.
The Leaders program has introduced me to yet another facet of leadership: building and leading a venture. The program provides professional tools for project development and pushes me out of my comfort zone, such as pitching in English to university donors. This hands-on experience in what it takes to establish and lead a project is a lesson that will serve me for years to come. Here, I've learned the importance of thorough preparation, attention to detail, and how to apply newly acquired skills across various domains.
To me, leadership is the ability to influence, motivate, and guide others towards a shared goal. Through my experiences, I've come to believe that with genuine conviction in one's path and a willingness to learn and improve, anyone can become a leader in their chosen field. Each challenge I've faced has strengthened my sense of capability and reinforced my belief that with persistence and determination, any obstacle can be overcome.
As the second part of the Leaders program concludes, I reflect on how much I've learned and grown. With the summer accelerator ahead, which will cap off this incredible program, I look forward to fully summarizing this transformative journey.
LEADERS האגודה הסטודנטיאלית אוניברסיטת בן גוריון
