The Experience

I have got an important experience when I became the ‘most popular’ student in my school about three years ago. I am a Chairman of OSIS (Internal Student Organization). It was when I am 15 at grade 2 Senior High School. I think it is my most rewarding leadership experience, until now. Why? As I said before, I have ever feel become the person who was watched by them, the other student in every my walk to canteen, library, even when I want to go to the toilet. I felt that their eyes could be in everyplace of my school. Okay, maybe it sounds easy and enjoyable. But, in fact it is not easy for me.

Be a chairman of the biggest organization in your school is not my interest even in my daydream. I joined OSIS just because I think it is important to add my organization experience. Then, I was shock when my seniors announced that I allowed the nomination of next OSIS Chairman with the others four applicants (there is several selection before we get OSIS membership). Although it was not my want, it is the rule. There is no nominate your own self for being the chairman but it is only allowed by scoring mechanism on selection.
I was shock and afraid to face the fact that I had a chance to be a big leader. I had not self belief prepared my campaign moreover to be a leader in OSIS. I thought that I had not skills to be a leader because my less leadership experience. The point is my own self. I had not any self belief. Then I consulted it to my best friend Fachry, he was the former Chairman of Rohis (Islamic Student Organization). He gave me an important advice. An advice that made me realized one thing, Destiny. God had been making a plan for me when I allowed the nomination. Fachry said that is not just the senior’s choice, but also the God. “He also trusts you,” my best friend said.
After the consulting, I reformed my mind set about leader. It is not a scary job and the most important thing is I can do it. I improved my self belief and then I was success to won the election with more than 50% votes. Then, I worked in the organization. I loved the job, I loved my all partners and I did not suppose them as my staff, but a partner. I put the basic of my leadership value as a super team oriented, not a super man/woman oriented. I think it is important to take a team priority first.
If you ask me, what is M. Ricky Pratama three years ago? I proudly answer: He is a student and an OSIS Chairman. One year experience is the most courageous thing. It changes my entire life. My personality has change from a coward boy to a man with his destiny and self belief.
_Depok, 4 November 2009_