Leading With Purpose By Ekaterina Khakimullina

Student: Ekaterina Khakimullina

School: Year 10 Student At Perth Modern School

Ekaterina presenting at the 2024 WA Top 10 Showcase.

Can You Tell Us About Your Initiative?

I have begun a variety of initiatives in several areas that I lead and volunteer in. Working with my school's sustainability group, I have organised different sustainability competitions to promote recycling, and I'm currently organising Sustainability Week at my school. Within my Rotary Interact Club, I have organised donation drives, competitions, and volunteering at festivals and events.

I founded and led my school's Reconciliation Committee in organising NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week, and as a coordinator of my school's Sexuality and Gender Alliance, I have organised workshops and events with the City of Subiaco that promote inclusivity and celebration of different identities. As a part of my work on the Perth Modern Student Council, I am leading a number of initiatives, such as a mentoring program, and assist my fellow councillors in their projects. Currently, I am working on exciting projects that I can't wait to bring to life.

What Specific Challenges Did You Identify In Your Community, And How Did You Go About Addressing Them?

One of my key values and principles as a leader is integrity. All initiatives that I have started were to address a specific problem or demand in my community; but, I didn't think about what my community might want. I asked.

Talking to science teachers I realised students weren't recycling properly; I started a competition to make it fun. Talking to members of the Rotary Club of Subiaco, I learnt that Dress for Success, a charity that supports women from challenging backgrounds in landing jobs, needs donations, so I started a donation drive. Talking with a City of Subiaco representative led me to collaborate in organising a community event, as it was the perfect opportunity for high-school students to engage in safe pride events, which my classmates were struggling to access.

I listen to identify challenges, ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and get to action - it's the perfect recipe for success.

How Do You Measure The Success Of Your Initiatives, And What Impact Have They Had On The People You Aimed To Help?

In leadership settings, whether it's in schools or workplaces, we tend to measure success objectively. How many people? How many items? What were the numbers?

While numbers may be valuable indicators of success, success is too complex of a concept to quantify. I look at two things when I consider success; impact on individuals, and the impact on leaders.

Example - I organised a battery donation competition. Lots of batteries donated? Check. Students telling me they've learnt deeply about battery recycling and will continue to recycle in the future? Check. Success? Check.

But, I tried to organise a container donating competition. Donations? Not many. People reached? Not many. My sustainability teacher and I learning about effective engagement and refining our strategies? Definitely. Success? Check.

Some things are more successful than others, but success can be found in everything if you learn from your mistakes.

What Were Some Of The Biggest Obstacles You Faced During Your Projects, And How Did You Overcome Them?

In my projects, I tend to face 2 biggest obstacles.

1. Bureaucracy. The hassle of writing emails and filling out documents frustrates me (though I understand it is unavoidable).

2. Myself. Knowing that I am one of the only things standing in the way of change and goals is both frustrating and empowering. Frustrating, because I understand it's my fault if I get too scared, or get a mental block, or never make time for an idea. Empowering, because I understand that if I do something daunting, take the first step, reach out, propose and plan a crazy idea, I get to think, "I did that!".

My biggest obstacle is the journey it will take to become a person who can get past the mental barriers, the doubt, and the fear. I hope that along the way I can make the change I want to see.

What Lessons Have You Learned From Your Leadership Experiences, And How Have They Shaped Your Approach To Future Projects? Nothing is hard. There are two reasons I say this.

1. People like to complain.

Whenever people complain, we tend to change our view of the situation, even if it's subconsciously. It's like the placebo effect on a broader scale, and it makes life seem harder than it is. I used to think taking a driving theory test was hard because I heard older students complaining about it - but it was actually quite straightforward. Remembering why people complain and that your brain actually functions independently of other's opinions is incredibly helpful.

2. Taking small steps is easy.

A full project seems scary and intimidating. Say you want to start a fundraiser. Terrifying. But, break it down into steps. Sending an email is easy. Brainstorming is easy. Writing a plan is easy. Everything is just a series of steps that are easy. It's not difficult, just get started.

Looking Ahead, What Are Your Plans For Continuing To Make A Difference? Are There Any New Initiatives Or Ideas You're Excited To Pursue? If you were to open my laptop, you would find one very long page of my ideas and plans in the future. I can't list them all, so I am going to break them down based on time.

Next year, I going to be founding and leading a neuroscience club at my school, teaching lectures to younger students, organising competitions, and starting fundraisers.

Over the next 2 years, I hope to establish a network of Student Councils across WA to allow sharing of resources between schools and providing learning and development opportunities for students and school staff.

In 20 years, I hope to be a neurosurgeon (ambitious) or a researcher studying neurodegenerative disease, leading a team to treat patients and help others.

Broadly, I'm excited to pursue helping people and making a difference through my passion for human biology and neuroscience, but also community service and volunteering.

What Advice Would You Give To Other Young Leaders Who Aspire To Create Positive Change In Their Communities?

No one is born a leader.

When I was younger, I would look up to leaders in my community or the world in awe, placing them on a pedestal. Later, I realised - no one is born a leader. There is no special quality that makes you a good leader. There's no overnight fix or magic talent. It's not in your genes or your personality.

We're all the same. We have the same basic structure as humans. Our neurons function the same way in our brain. We are made from the same materials made in stars millions of years ago. We are made from the same substances as Einstein or Ghandi. We all have it in us to make the change we want in the world.

Stop doubting yourself, take the first step, accomplish your goals. Everyone has the potential to change the world. It's up to you to utilise it.

Ekaterina Khakimullina participated in our Next Gen Awards 2024 program and was one of our WA Top 10. To find out more about the Next Gen Awards and how your projects and initiatives can be showcased head to: www.nextgenoftheyear.com