How to be a Good Leader

Somehow, lessons in leadership come from the most unexpected places. For Fawzaan, a senior at YALE University studying biology, those lessons came through years of involvement in MUN. His journey not only reflects what it means to be a leader but also how it influences international relations or… medicine. So, what makes a good leader?

Firstly, great leadership starts with passion. Fawzaan’s entry into MUN wasn’t random. “I was intrigued by the overlapping of medicine and diplomacy,” he explained. Fawzaan quickly discovered that the skills he built through MUN were not just for debate rooms. Clear communication, public speaking, crisis management are relevant in day-a-day basis.

“Your team will work as hard as you do,” he said. He treated his secretariat members with care and respect, created a supportive environment, and emphasised shared responsibility.  Fawzaan believes that a good leader treats people well and takes responsibility when things go wrong. He ensured that each secretariat member felt valued and left the experience with pride. “I can't manage 300 delegates, but I can manage 12 secretariat members who can manage 300 delegates,” he joked, but there’s truth in the sentiment. Leadership scales when it's rooted in trust. If you want to learn more about how to “contruct” your own secretariat, please read this article. 

It is important to highlight that when Fawzaan took over YaleMUN Dubai, he had no predecessor to guide him, he had to build the conference from scratch. The first year brought only 70 delegates. By the second, attendance grew to over 300, thanks to extensive outreach and long nights of hard work. That’s a 400% growth, achieved in one of the most competitive and complex markets.

True leaders don’t panic in a crisis, they manage it. During the planning of YaleMUN Dubai, unexpected obstacles arose: late timelines, partner issues, and logistical setbacks. But rather than burden the whole team, Fawzaan and his leadership core managed issues behind the scenes, protecting team morale and maintaining focus.  Sometimes, even the leadership core isn’t made aware of certain challenges, because the leader may need to carry them alone to protect the morale and effectiveness of the leadership team.

In the end, Fawzaan’s story shows that leadership isn’t about titles or perfection, it’s about purpose and persistence.  And maybe that’s the biggest lesson: good leaders don’t just get things done, they lift others up while doing it. Fawzaan reminds me of a good doctor: always prepared and focused. But if he ever decided to change careers, I’m sure he could always be the specialist in MUN-icine.