The article is geared towards changing the readers orientation towards leadership. It argues for a result oriented leadership while also illuminating the expected qualities of an effective leadership.
Every society is built upon certain fundamentals which are necessary for its continual survival. Leadership plays a key role in societal as well as organizational growth. In fact, it can make or mar the future of any society. The kind of leadership a society gets is a function of the interplay of socio-political, cultural, religious, and existential experience of the individuals that constitute the society. More so, it is the vast majority of the commonwealth (in this case; students, which is our focus) who bears the burden of leadership. This partly explains why the central subject of discuss in Nigeria’s polity today revolves around effective leadership.

Consequently, the question we need to ask ourselves is that, what does effective leadership entail? What is its essence in a student’s community? How does practicality come to play? Or perhaps, what makes an approach to student’s leadership practical and effective? These and many more shall be our concern in this essay.

The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language defined ‘Leadership’ as "the office or position of a leader." A leader, according to the same dictionary, is said to be one who leads or guides". It needs no explaining to say that the concept of leadership necessarily implies the existence of the class of the led or followership. Obviously, whenever the issue of leadership is raised, what comes to mind is a person(s) occupying a position of leadership and saddled with the arduous task of providing the right leadership. By right leadership, I imply being visionary, focused, articulate, proactive, stable, unassuming and people centric. Candidly, leaders can be found in various fields of human endeavours; politics, religion, culture, education as well as wherever there is an organized community or civil society. Moreover, leadership can either be through appointment, election, or natural.

With the above in mind, there is need to restate that a student’s community is an environment populated by individuals of diverse orientation and background who are devoted to study. Intellectualism, good morals and character building are the hallmark of institutions of learning as well as student’s associations. Moreover, a student leader needs to be effective and efficient in leading a community of students, otherwise his/her leadership will be disastrous. Just as Carlos Castaneda opined "a man of knowledge lives by action, not by thinking about acting" an effective student’s leader needs to move away from rhetoric, ideal and speculation to a practical realm.

A practical approach to effective leadership demands and entails discipline, sacrifice, tolerance, foresight, planning and implementation. In a similar vein, there is need for a pragmatic leader to possess a passion for possibilities, a passion to want to better to better the lot of his constituency, a passion for excellence. Such a leader needs to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, coupled with a cool and sedate reflection of the state of affairs of the student’s union. Obviously, a practical approach to leadership heralds a time for more robust debate, effective and efficient representation, as well as a purposeful and visionary leadership.

Nevertheless, as Edmund Burke warned; "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing", a pragmatic student leader will not be carried away by the aura of power nor fold his arms when he/she ought to act. He consciously strives toward reconstructing the commonwealth in line with current aspirations and reformations. He fosters unity, cooperation and cordial relationship within his/her constituency and the University management. In the area of human capital development, a student leader who is pragmatic will pursue vigorously programmes and projects that will greatly enhance the capabilities of his/her colleagues to add more to their society, thereby making them the most sought after whenever the need for talents and excellence is required.

Ancient Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, once posited that "commonwealth will be blessed if guided by people who make wisdom their guide." This implies that student leaders with philosophic insights are sure to positively impact their society and would be noted for it. Hence, a student leader needs to embrace wisdom (philosophy) so not to pursue the right cause the wrong way. Apart from this, H.M Boethius says thus: "…in the sea of life, we are tossed about by storms but we fulfill our calling best when we despise the worst". Student leaders must be prepared for the unexpected. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King (Jnr.) scorned the worst by being pragmatic and consistent with their beliefs. Today, they are respected historical figures. Affecting people’s lives positively has an eternal reward. It is in this light that I unequivocally submit that for there to be good governance and sustainable and people oriented development in the student’s Union, practical approach to student leadership is incontrovertible.