Teacher's Day , Teaching, Testing...
Last week on Teacher's Day, a friend Parvathi shared the wishes her daughter, Sneha (who teaches French in a Mumbai school) had received personally from a group of her students. Much like Life in general, personal and professional friends' WhatsApp groups also offer opportunities to learn, laugh, love and of course test our wisdom too sometimes. Testing our ability to ignore, take a deep breath and move on! For the most part, of course, it is fun. Thanks to the 'Admins' who work to ensure propriety.
Students' Greetings
While perusing the students' wishes and remarks about their teacher, three attributes caught my eye. Being Kind, Being Strict, Being Fun. My mind also wandered down memory lane. I recollected, being introduced to the British Council and American Consulate libraries by my friend Cyril Thankappan. No lending charges or subscription fees for students! The first book I chose to take home (part of a set of 3/4 they allowed) was one about research into Leadership by the US Airforce.
A Landmark Project & a 'Letdown'
The book explained many facets of Leadership with examples. I also recollect being a tad disappointed with the book. To my adolescent mind the book was somewhat a letdown. I had been hoping for a small magic set of qualities that defined Leadership greatness. The US Airforce research work just refused to put one/ some traits above another/ others.
No Colossus Escapes Criticism or Censure
Another point worth noting and maybe relevant too, is that we may never ever find fool-proof, or future-proof leaders and heroes/ heroines. A larger-than-life Hero may at least temporarily seem criticism proof. But there are enough and more of us raking up issues we may not even be qualified to ask. There are examples galore in modern history itself, but possibly the most striking and undeniably interesting ones may be referenced from ancient Indian history.
Even Gods Don't Have It Easy Here... In This Land of Seekers
The beauty (and safety!) of taking examples from ancient Indian history is that you are at the very least, sure of not being beheaded. As Sadhguru said, Bharat or Hindusthan has for long been a land of Seekers. We seek the Truth relentlessly. We ask questions even of our Gods and Goddesses. We spare none, taking all possible non-violent means. A distraught Gandhari not only asked tough questions of Krishna after the Mahabharata war, but also cursed him and his race! With this background, yours truly also felt encouraged to pen a critique on arguably the greatest human to have ever lived amongst us.
Generations Hence May Scarcely Believe...
I believe it was Einstein who said of Mahatma Gandhi (unless i am mistaken), 'Generations hence will scarcely believe that such a one as he actually walked among us' or some such line. But even Einstein may have felt compelled to change the subject of his admiration had he known a bit of really ancient Indian history. But then, I am digressing.
Defining Key Leadership Characteristics
Long after my disappointment as an adolescent with the US Airforce research, I have had multiple opportunities to get more clarity and hopefully a bit wiser. Were I asked today for some key characteristics which are critical for Leadership, I may not be able to get better than my friend's daughter's young students. I would say... Kindness, Discipline, Fun.
Contra-views
Some readers could immediately ask, 'But there are folks who may not have any one or none of the three and yet happily lord it over more capable folks....' or 'Surely a Leader may need more attributes than the above mentioned three. For eg, he may need some specific skill set, some knowledge etc ...'
Sandcastles on the Beach
Agreed, in the first instance, there may be a 'leader' who may be harsh/ insensitive/ cruel or who is boring or who is absolutely uncaring about discipline etc... but is also seen to be delivering results. But more often than not, this may be a sandcastle on the beach. The best thing, we may say is that some waves are also delayed. It is a comment only on the delay in the wave's action, not on the fundamental robustness of sandcastles.
Not Much Scope for Armchair Leadership
The second counter is firstly, easily acknowledged and accepted. Of course, basis situations, some special knowledge or skillsets or some other attributes would be needed. A person leading a mountaineering team would have to possess special abilities, including physical and mental ones. No scope for any armchair leader here. But they are only welcome additions to the Triad. Namely Being Kind, Being Strict, Being Fun.
Being - Kind/ Strict/ Fun
Kindness is a general umbrella attribute. Could be similar to or concomitant with Caring, Compassion, Empathy, Selflessness etc. Likewise Discipline, Process Orientation, Objectivity, Focused Approach etc may be used for being strict. Being Fun encompasses having a sense of humour, tendency to facilitate destressing as relevant (to get colleagues/ team members to look beyond temporary setbacks), creating a conducive atmosphere for others to contribute/ feel valued etc.
Crude/ Cruel Comments Masquerading as Humour
Many of us may easily relate to the following examples. Managers mistaking a crude/ cruel sense of humour with 'Being Fun'. Discussions, both formal and informal continue with comments on someone's skin colour in a derogatory manner. Poking fun at the physical appearance or cognitive abilities of a colleague or competitor or any other stakeholder in an insensitive way may sadly still evoke some laughter. At least from some quarters.
Fear - of Infusing Discipline or Infusing Fun
Other mistakes managers and leaders can make is confusing discipline for cruelty. They ignore the opportunity to dismantle adhocism, and create some meaningful structure/ processes that offer real benefits. Gains that easily outweigh short-term pains/ challenges. Some also unfortunately assume that 'having fun' while at work (however positive/ meaningful/ non-cruel) is a strict no-no, because it is a hindrance to discipline!
The Triad of Traits
The above 'contra-views' need to be re-examined by those harbouring them. This Triad of Traits if one may say so, can amazingly, be a loadstone across several social settings, not just at the workplace. At home, in hospitals, on the road, in public spaces, whether as leaders or followers. The better parents, the better doctors, the better cops, the better CEOs, all leverage the Triad in some form, to some degree at least. A very mundane example is a parent using props (physical/ story form) in a fun manner to make a 'difficult meal' more interesting, more fun, for the little kid.
Ask a Kid or Just Observe Them
Simplicity and the Truth may be the critical ingredients in genuine communication. If your ten-year-old daughter can understand it, you are good to go. If there is some ambiguity/ hypocrisy in the communication, she is very likely to either call it out or express confusion. The students who have made the above chart, already know a thing or two in their young years itself. Another important trait, not just in school, again gleaned from the students' chart above is creating an atmosphere for continuous Learning and yes, Making Learning, Fun!
Thanks To My Teachers
After more than three decades, the query kindled by a US Airforce study now seems answered for me. Thanks Parvati To You, Your Daughter, Sneha and Her Students - My Teachers. Happy Teacher's Day, Everyday!
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