Head girl aims to empower others

When Dara Caradus found out she was this year's head girl at Otago Girls High School, she was "shell-shocked" to say the least.

"I think these are huge boots to fill. I think I'll have to put on a few extra pairs of socks to make them fit."

Given that her predecessors include basketball Olympian Suzannah Bates (2005), high-profile New Zealand constitutional lawyer Mai Chen (1981) and Corporation of London Policy and Resources Committee chairwoman Dame Judith Mayhew (1966), there is no doubt Dara is following in the footsteps of some great New Zealand leaders.

She takes solace in the fact she was elected by teachers and her fellow pupils at the school, and appreciates the faith they have in her ability to do the job.

And now that she is over the shock of the announcement, Dara has settled into the role and is much more confident about her duty.

"At the moment, I'm loving it - I'm having such a good time. I haven't had to do anything too serious yet.

"I'm just making the most of the honeymoon period, because I can see there's going to be more work later on."

Dara says talking to people is the best part of the job.

She loves it, and hopes it will help her to create a community within the school where pupils can support and encourage each other.

It's a tell-tale reflection of her leadership style.

"I get behind people and encourage them in whatever they do, rather than take over and do it myself.

"Leadership, for me, is about getting people to do the best that they can. Otherwise, you are fostering an environment where you have to do all the work.

"That's not healthy, and it's not going to get the best results.

"If you have people that can do something really well, and empower them to do it, you will get the best results."