Education Stalwarts 2022 | Vishal Singh, Chairman of IVPS Group | Leaders in Education
It is important for one to first set a vision and then take steps to get there. Initially, the journey is alone but as you keep going people start joining you and then one realises that together we can work better. Once I have my vision set in my mind, I need to communicate this to my team members. I alone cannot do anything, I need to hear the voice of my team members and take their viewpoints into consideration. People only follow the leader voluntarily if they feel they are heard out. In order to run an educational institution successfully, it is important for the entire team to move ahead together.
Leadership is about building up the people around you, trusting them, empowering them and enabling them to display their expertise so that the team can become more than the sum of its parts. It also includes bringing out the full potential and promoting leadership qualities in others. When I promote a staff member of my school, it acts as a great motivator for other teachers, which in turn leads to increased productivity. Eventually, the benefit is mine.
I always provide constant support and motivation to my team. We help them to identify any area of advancement so that they can develop their skill and prioritize their career, and we also give them the resources that are required in the school.
During the pandemic, a few unfortunate incidents happened with my staff members. We made sure to provide whatever support and resources we could to their families that time, and even now we continue to take care of the family of one of the teachers, giving her the required moral and financial support.
Education in general has experienced lot of changes over the years but what gave it a 360-degree change was the crisis posed by the pandemic. I have always believed in the saying, “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits.”
While it was undoubtedly the toughest challenge so far in the field of education, we all came together and found a solution to it.
We took various measures to tackle the situation. Our IT team members played an important role in it. Our teaching strategies changed to suit the needs of our learners.
I have always felt that it is your team that propels you to move ahead. In fact, it is the team that acts as your motivator and helps one develop the plan for growth. It is the team that becomes an entity within the organisation that specialises in an assigned area. For the stability and competitive advantage of the company, it is important that team members are involved at every level.
At Indus Valley Public School, we work together with transparency and accountability.
I have always respected my teachers since my school days, and I have imbibed the quality of respect from them only. My teachers always respected and valued children and I also feel one must respect teachers. If a teacher feels valued, it is the biggest motivation for them. It is crucial to provide them with a pleasant and productive working environment. Every year, we have a meeting with different teachers to get their opinion regarding our proposed strategies. Including them in important plans is sure to motivate them.
Being a leader requires a lot of dedication and hard work. When your team sees you, they are motivated to do their best and contribute to the overall development of the organization. From top to bottom, my team depends on me as we work in collaboration.
All my team members look up to me as they have defined roles and responsibilities. They are given the freedom to take initiative, express their views and exhibit their creativity. This is important not only at the institutional level, but also the society at large. One must give back to society too. I feel proud to say that last year I had the opportunity to show my philanthropic side to my team. I set up a COVID Care Facility in my locality when I couldn’t find a bed for my father. One has to find ways to keep inspiring people involved with them.
It was when I read the poem ‘Odyssey’ years ago that I learnt one should never give up. “Never give up on something you believe in” is a quote that inspires me. Anything that is worth doing is bound to have obstacles. Life has never been easy, but the secret of one’s success is to never give up. It makes a leader strong and sets an example for the team. Whatever your dream is, pursue it even when you’re on the verge of quitting. Just find the strength and motivation, and go on.
My message to the upcoming professionals in the field of education would be – A teacher is not a transmitter of knowledge but a guide to the child’s own discovery of the world. Teaching is a profession that teaches all the other professions. One should take pride in this fact. Be passionate and committed to your profession. Always be inspirational to your students. And most importantly, always have a vision as that is going to be your driving force.
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