Ramin Khanzada

When I started my professional career as an Admin Procurement Assistant at Catholic Relief Services in 2009, leadership wasn’t something I focused on. I was committed to doing my job well, staying dedicated to my work, and striving for excellence. At that time, leadership wasn’t even on my radar. However, in 2010, when I transitioned into a new role with the Creative International Ambassador Small Grant Program to Support Gender Equality in Afghanistan (ASGP) as a Capacity Development Technical Assistant (CDTA), I had a profound realization: everything rises and falls on leadership.

That moment became a turning point for me. I recognized that strong leadership could influence not only the success of an organization but also the development of the people within it. This sparked a journey I never imagined I would embark on – a journey of intentional growth with leadership at its core.

To deepen my understanding, I enrolled in the Leadership Development Program at the Institute for Leadership Development (ILD) in 2010, a year-long program in Herat. It was there that I first grasped the power of influence and the profound impact a leader can have on those around them. This realization changed my perspective forever. Since then, I have committed myself to continuous learning and growth in the realm of leadership.

I have read several influential leadership books, including Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell, Leadership Is Language by David Marquet, Leadership Strategy and Tactics, Extreme Ownership, and The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink, as well as Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey. Additionally, I completed the Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles course at Harvard University. These resources have significantly shaped my approach to leadership and furthered my commitment to continuous growth.

I have also participated in various leadership programs, including the Co-Serve International Servant Leadership Program in 2024 and the First Alumni Summit in Denver, CO. Through these experiences, I’ve had the opportunity to share my learnings through speaking and writing, helping others on their own leadership journeys.

Now, 15 years later, I look back on my leadership journey with a sense of awe. I once thought I had learned everything I needed to know, but the more I’ve grown, the more I’ve realized just how much more there is to learn. Leadership is a lifelong journey of self-improvement. It’s not until you take a step back and reflect on how far you’ve come that you truly see the distance you’ve traveled. It’s like revisiting your childhood home years later – it seems smaller than you remembered, but the journey that has brought you to this point is much greater than you realized.

Through leadership, I’ve experienced a transformation that goes beyond professional growth—it has been a journey of profound personal development. Leadership has been the catalyst for my self-discovery, deepening my self-awareness, strengthening my self-esteem, and guiding me toward self-actualization. It has taught me the power of self-reflection and the unwavering strength of resilience. Most importantly, leadership has shown me how to ignite the potential in others, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves and inspiring them to reach heights they never thought possible.

One of my greatest passions now is to share what I’ve learned about leadership. I want to help others understand that leadership isn’t just about managing people – it’s about growing yourself and helping others grow too. Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. It’s about continually learning, developing new skills, and becoming more than you ever imagined.

If you’re reading this, I hope it inspires you to start your own leadership journey. Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your leadership skills, remember that growth is a continuous process. There’s always more to learn, more to do, and more lives you can impact. I’ve experienced firsthand how leadership can change lives, and I’m excited to see where your leadership journey will take you.

Imagine being a child, desperate for a new pair of shoes, but the only shoes you have are cheap plastic ones. Your father promises to buy you what you want, but when the time comes, he can’t deliver.

Today, I’ll share how my father’s sacrifices and his powerful belief in the value of education shaped my journey, helped me overcome challenges, and inspired me to create a better future for my children.

The Struggle with Poverty and Material Desires

When I was in 4th grade, I looked around at all my classmates and saw them wearing shiny, fancy shoes. They walked into class with such confidence, their shoes gleaming and new, while I sat there in my plastic shoes—worn, cracked, and barely holding together. I wanted those fancy shoes more than anything. I wanted to feel like I belonged, like I wasn’t different. I asked my father, begged him for those shoes, hoping he would understand how badly I wanted them. I remember the look in his eyes when he promised, “When your shoes wear out, I’ll get you the fancy shoes you want.” I held on to that promise like a lifeline. Every day, I looked at my shoes, hoping they would fall apart so I could finally wear something that would make me feel normal.

But when the day came, when my plastic shoes finally gave up on me, I went to my father, my heart racing with anticipation. I thought, This is it. He’s going to keep his promise. But when he came home that evening, instead of the fancy shoes I had dreamed of, he brought me plastic shoes. I felt the ground fall away beneath me. The tears started to burn in my eyes, but I couldn’t let them show. I felt my heart break in a way I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just that the shoes weren’t what I wanted, it was that the one thing I had asked for, the one thing that felt like it would make me worthy of my classmates’ world, was something my father couldn’t give me.

I was so embarrassed. I couldn’t understand why he couldn’t just get me those shoes. It wasn’t like it was asking for the moon. Why couldn’t I have something as simple as fancy shoes? I felt like I didn’t matter, like I wasn’t important enough to deserve the same things everyone else had. I didn’t just feel different, I felt invisible. And as I held those new plastic shoes in my hands, I felt smaller than I ever had before. The other kids would see my shoes and know—I was the one left out. I wasn’t part of their world. I wasn’t good enough.

Main Point 2: A Father’s Sacrifice and Wisdom
The next day, I didn’t go to school. I stayed home, too embarrassed to face my classmates, too ashamed to walk through the door with my plastic shoes. I thought if I just stayed hidden, no one would notice how different I was. When my father came home that evening, I overheard my mother telling him that I hadn’t gone to school. I froze, feeling a wave of dread wash over me. I was terrified. I thought he would be furious. I imagined him coming into the room, his eyes burning with anger, ready to punish me for my defiance. Why didn’t you go to school? I braced myself for the beating I thought was coming.

But when he came to me, he didn’t raise his hand. He didn’t shout. Instead, he sat down beside me, his face soft and full of concern. His voice was gentle, but firm. “I know you’re upset,” he said. “I can see it in your eyes. But life is tough, Ramin. I am doing the best I can for you, and I wish I could give you everything you want. But what I can give you, more than anything, is an education. You keep studying, you work hard, and one day, you won’t just be able to buy shoes—you’ll be able to buy a better life. You’ll be able to create the future you dream of.”

In that moment, something changed inside me. I wasn’t just hearing words. I was feeling them, deep in my heart. I realized then that the shoes weren’t what I needed to feel whole. It wasn’t the fancy shoes, the thing I thought would define me, that would make me happy. What I needed, what I truly needed, was the knowledge my father was trying to give me—the understanding that education was the key to unlocking everything I dreamed of. My father, despite all the things he couldn’t provide, was offering me something far more valuable than material possessions: he was giving me the power to change my life. He was giving me the chance to rise above the poverty that had defined our world.

His words washed over me like a wave of understanding. He couldn’t give me fancy shoes, but he was giving me something far greater—the opportunity to create my own future, to carve out a life filled with possibilities, not limitations. I didn’t need to be defined by the things I didn’t have. I had the chance to create a life where I could have everything I ever wanted, not just for myself, but for my children, for the future.

Main Point 3: The Role of Education in Changing My Future

My father’s words became the foundation upon which I built my future. I realized that if I wanted to break free from the cycle of poverty, the key was education. It wasn’t just about good grades, it was about honoring my father’s sacrifices, the dreams he had for me that he could never fulfill himself. I threw myself into my studies, not only to succeed but to show him that his belief in me wasn’t misplaced. Education became my lifeline, my way out, the bridge to a life I once thought was unreachable.

As the years went by, I began to understand just how profound my father’s gift was. He couldn’t give me wealth or material possessions, but he gave me the most powerful tool of all—knowledge. That was the tool that would change everything. Today, as I study Communication Studies at Diablo Valley College (DVC) in California, I realize that I am living a dream my father could never have imagined for himself. His hope for me was that I would rise above the limitations of our circumstances, and in pursuing my education, I am finally fulfilling that dream.

Education opened doors I never thought was possible. It gave me the opportunity to break free from a life of hardship and create a future I once thought was out of touch. And in doing so, I am carrying my father’s legacy forward—one of sacrifice, hope, and the belief that a better life can be built through the power of learning.

Passing on the Legacy to My Children

In August 2024, when I enrolled my son in school, my wife bought him a pair of fancy shoes, the same kind I had always dreamed of as a child. As I watched him put them on, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn’t just about the shoes themselves, but what they represented: a better life, the life my father had always wanted for me, and the life I now have the privilege of providing for my children. In that moment, I realized that I had come full circle. The dream my father had for me—to give me a future beyond the limitations of our circumstances—was now being realized through my own children.

Tears filled my eyes not out of sadness, but out of profound gratitude. I was witnessing a tangible reflection of all the sacrifices, all the struggles, and all the hopes that had shaped my own life. It was a reminder that the very things I once lacked, material comforts, opportunities—were now within my reach, and I was able to offer them to my own children. But more importantly, I was able to offer them the one thing that truly mattered: education.

As I shared this experience with my wife and children, I told them, “You are incredibly fortunate to live in a place where education is within your reach and where your parents can provide for you. Never take that for granted. Education is the key to everything. It’s the foundation upon which you will build your future.”

In that moment, I felt a deep sense of purpose. I want my children to understand that their future will not be shaped by material things, but by the knowledge they gain, the hard work they put in, and the choices they make. Just as my father’s words guided me, I am now passing that same belief in the power of education on to them. My father gave me the opportunity to change my life, and now, I have the honor of doing the same for my children. This cycle of hope, sacrifice, and opportunity is what keeps me going, and it’s what I want my children to carry forward.

Closing Thought:
Education is the foundation for everything we want in life. It is the most powerful tool we can use to build a better future—not just for ourselves, but for our families and our communities. My father’s sacrifice gave me the gift of education, and I will ensure my children understand its value. Thank you.