Anyone can be a student leader. Anyone can run for office and lead his/her schoolmates. But being a Tapat leader is more than just that. There are certain standards we all have to live up to. This is the essence why we want to set the difference of being a Tapat Leader. This is summed up in the 5 P’s.

Principled means knowing what you believe in and standing up for it. The definition also includes knowing what the Tapat principles are and fighting for them as well. Tapat believes that principles should never change; they are the most fundamental part of you.

Being pioneering is something Tapat leadership prides itself on. With innovative projects like the Students’ Charter, Students’ Cooperative, and the Students’ Code, Tapat leaders should always be looking for new ways to protect student interests.

People get tired of the same old stuff, being progressive means breaking away from tradition if necessary and finding new things to do or new ways to do things. To stick to the time tested way is safe but need a little action every now and then. Progress also means not turning back. We must build on what has already been started and not start anew all the time. Leaders before you have already paved the way; you must continue adding more miles to the road.

Professional leaders are also necessary. We must never let our personal interest and petty quarrels get in the way of our jobs. To be professional is not simply being on time, it is knowing what your job requires of you and fulfilling them to the best of your abilities. You might think that his clashes with the idea of being personal, but it really doesn’t.

To be personal means to treat people (your subordinates and constituents) as people and not as mindless machines or simple statistics. A personal leader is also concerned with the welfare of his constituents and seeks to develop them to their full potential.

Don’t worry, not all of us have healthy doses of each. Majority are “specialists”, there are pioneering people who lack a little personal touch, progressive dudes who can do with a little more professionalism. Either way, we must never ever forget our principles and strive to attain all five traits as a personal goal.