2022 IOTM Joshua's interview podcast
Audio Edited by: 22B4010, Chloe Helen Ang Ke Ying (Public Relations Officer, Executive of Media and Public Relation Officer)
Written By: 22B6041, Sairul Behanam (Public Relations Officer, Executive of Media and Public Relation Officer)
Interviewer: 21B1006, Nurul Nabiihah binti Zulsekin (Public Relations Officer, Executive of Media and Public Relation Officer)
We are lauded to name Joshua Anak Belayan as the Inspirasee for the Leadership category for this month's Inspirasee of the Month. He is a student in the Faculty of Science, majoring in Biology. He is AYAN (Asean Youth Advocate Network Brunei) Brunei's director of finance and sponsorship, and the UNDP Asia-Pacific (United Nations Development Programme), UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), and UN Human Rights (United Nations) recently chose him to join their youth advisory group for the Asia-Pacific region.
Joshua explained in the podcast, he was initially just figuring out what he enjoyed doing. First of all, he discovered that Brunei is home to a large number of organizations, but none of them were relevant to his interests when he explored them. Therefore, he worked for almost three years before beginning his work with an NGO. After finishing his employment, he was looking for new challenges when AYAN Brunei appeared. He applied for the position for funding and sponsorship, and the rest is history.
Joshua believes that his leadership style is not overbearingly micromanaged in that he likes to dedicate staff, so it is important for him that they are good at what they are doing, but he is also not the type to "leave it be." For example, if he were to do projects, he would ask each person individually what they needed and how he could help them. He will try to assist if they are busy with something, but if he is unable to do so or lacks the necessary knowledge, he will ask someone in the AYAN network for assistance.
Being trustworthy is, in his opinion, one of a leader's most important qualities, and Bernie Sanders served as an inspiration for many of his leadership virtues. He was one of the first few people to inspire Joshua to become interested in politics and beyond. Joshua views Bernie as the first person to speak his mind, which goes against the current belief, but he persists because that is what he truly believes. Joshua believes that if you are a leader, stay true to your principles. If you truly think that what you are doing is right and will be beneficial in the long run, then try to stick with it. This is because money and influence will always change your priorities or your influences.
As a leader, it's inevitable to make mistakes, so you experience things you weren't prepared for because you can sometimes ignore them or disregard them because you think they are minor details that, in the end, may cause you to regret. It is a useful lesson because it allows you to reflect and think more strategically about how you proceed. Regarding challenges, they are not uncommon; they will arise in every project they undertake. As a result, you should prepare for them by setting aside a buffer period of time (also known as a "slack time"), which gives you three to four days to prepare for the possibility that things won't go according to plan during the project's scheduled weeks. If you finish early or run into no difficulties, you will complete the project well in advance; if not, at least you will have done so. As a result, he starts giving instructions at least a few days in advance.
He can work with others and welcome fresh ideas because he is a leader. He believes that while you try not to veer away from a thought, idea, or perspective; if you truly believe it, the path you take to get there may change. Accepting your thoughts and perspectives can assist you in moving toward your goal as there are many ways to get to where you want to go. He believes that IN Brunei's strength lies in its shared morality.
They are all relatively young—roughly between the ages of 23 to 26—and it was relatively simple for them to talk honestly. They are also encouraged to say what they truly dislike, and he is in that same vein—he is very direct. If he has a conscience and is able to move forward by speaking the truth, he will do so.
Some people might be put off by Joshua's directness because he can be quite blunt. He apologizes and hopes they will accept his explanation. It's more along the lines of things you don't anticipate or consider. They are all generally good. He has always given them the heads-up that if their work is subpar, he can be direct. Due to their stringent hiring practices and desire to hire only the best of the best, it hasn't been too bad thus far.
His department is essentially trying to raise money, so one way to do this is to try to be charismatic and try to talk to people. He believes that he is charismatic, that he is good at talking, rallying conversation, making conversation out of nothing, nothing that is quite important, especially if you're in an NGO. When they work on projects, they are eager to support the concept, and sometimes financial support is involved. Additionally, he believes that his directness is both a strength and a weakness.
Joshua imitates Bernie Sanders, who is a forthright politician. He would be honest and apathetic when attempting to pass a law. Joshua at least makes an effort to be open and honest, not just with his decisions but also with his communication and general behavior.
When someone is unable to complete a task, he occasionally “opens doors” for them. Even if he is otherwise busy, he will make time for them if they let him
know they need help. Additionally, he supports those who are unable to perform by motivating them and instructing them on what to do. He will inquire about how he can help them if they are still unsure.
He mentioned having some slack time. People in his project occasionally run into family issues that they were unable to foresee, so he occasionally has to step in and do the work himself. When working on projects in AYAN, the project leader is typically responsible for the majority of the work, and before giving them their assignments, he will typically give them a list of things that need to be completed. This means that there are specific guidelines. It helps a lot to have sound instruction.
When working on a project, the team will work through any fatigue to complete it. Upon completion, if the project is a success, that is a major boost. However, they give opportunities to other leaders within the AYAN organization if they feel like they need to take a break due to an upcoming project. Not while being directed, but rather after finishing a particular project and
and receiving better results from it. Therefore, if you give someone the chance to lead a project, they might put forth all of their effort to encourage newcomers, particularly committee members rather than board members, to take a larger leadership role because, according to him, the other directors were eventually going to depart, so they would take the lead. Additionally, it's crucial to teach them sustainable long-term practices.
Together, they convene. They discuss issues when they disagree. The fact that Joshua can tell the truth is a plus. He wasn't going to sidestep the issue. If he disagrees with the direction, he will state his disagreement and request a meeting, an alternative approach, or a vote. Joshua also states that it is necessary to learn how to accept the fact that your idea was chosen over someone else's if there is a vote. Additionally, you must fervently concur with other people's viewpoints. If it doesn't work out despite your best efforts, don't give up. In the end, everyone is going in the same direction. Thus, the success of the organization is increased.
Joshua likes to believe that he has the ability to take criticism well. When he arrived in Indiana, he made some terrible errors because he had to deal with the government and all of its red tape. They turned to him for help because the others were not available. He requested to make a decision on behalf of his organization without first seeking approval from the other board members. He simply replied "yes," which he soon regretted. When Joshua told his colleague about the predicament, they charged him with refusing permission from others. And he acknowledged having erred at the time. They were fortunate to be able to avoid this problem.
The most challenging choice he has to make in his leadership role is to remove people from projects. He made an effort to avoid mentioning any names. He believed that either of them was not trying their hardest, and that if their project succeeded, it would have a significant impact. So he didn't give anyone the chance to procrastinate and ruin a significant project that was on the ASEAN level.
Joshua likes to joke around and doesn't try to take things too seriously in order to foster a positive atmosphere. Joshua does, however, occasionally exhibit signs of stress, particularly the week before significant projects. For Joshua, a positive environment entails keeping things light-hearted, having frank conversations, and then making friends with the newcomers to make it simple for everyone to get along.
He occasionally displays a stoic demeanor that suggests he is not fully invested in his team. He has the ability to command a room and be charismatic, but there are times when he neglects those around him, which can be problematic. He is justified in his decision because you are already focused and have no time to consider anyone else. He spends about five minutes before meetings getting to know his coworkers better by asking about their wellbeing.
He recalls that he completed a virtual internship as part of the YCV program this year between February and March. Their time zone is thus 18 hours ahead of ours. Since the center is in Hawaii, the decision will be made 18 hours before or after, and he will work from about 11 until 1 or 2 during that time. In addition, since one of the requirements for the internship was to teach a class, he also took on the role of a teaching assistant for one of the lecturers. He therefore taught a class during the academic year 2022, and AYAN also has another project. He was engaged in three activities at once. The good news is that due to the different time zones, he could work on YCV projects in the evening before heading to the morning shift. He performs the other two tasks in his usual time. Additionally, he was working on UBD projects. Thus, it was an effort to manage his time. That's something he picked up while working in the kitchen, and it was useful for his work with the NGO. It is interesting to note that his proficiency in the kitchen helped him organize and maintain a healthy balance between his personal and professional lives. He learned how to be more organized while prepping for about three years in the kitchen.
Joshua's most memorable leadership experience was personally working for ASEAN Pacific as a delegate and leading that initiative up front. This opened up many opportunities for Joshua, and as a result, he got the unbelievable opportunity to work for the UN agency for the first time. He recalled that during those two months, every minister praised the declaration made in Bandar Seri Begawan. From there, he was able to connect with individuals across the UN agency. They are particularly supportive and have worked closely with the United Nations Diplomat Program. Because of his prior work with the UN organization, he was recently chosen to serve as the group's youth advisor for the ASEAN Pacific region. He is anticipating it and will be traveling to Thailand to meet with his other peers.
Joshua also looks up to Harold Wilson, a member of the Labor Party and the UK's Prime Minister at the time, in addition to Bernie Sanders. Joshua observed him in the TV series "The Crown," and he realized that Harold was actually making a difference for the working class in the UK. Joshua's grandfather, who frequently discussed history with him and related stories from World War 2, had a significant influence on Joshua's worldview. As a result, Joshua developed a passion for politics and history.
Joshua is a dynamic leader who also enjoys cooking, playing the guitar and bass, and was a member of phonemics during his first year of college. He enjoys reading about national politics, international politics, and so forth.
He would like to thank his extremely talented and wonderful AYAN coworkers. His closest friends and his family serve as his main pillars of support.
Joshua wants to make it clear that you shouldn't be afraid to take risks when serving as a leader. Here are his final words of advice for those who are just starting out or having trouble moving forward. He believes that when one door closes, another will undoubtedly open for you.
Please feel free to get in touch with Joshua on Instagram at @joshua.ab10
if you have any questions!
