Leadership Lessons From My Father
On a recent trip back to the UK, I had the amazing opportunity to speak to a group of Indian community elders. It’s a group that’s been meeting fortnightly for over 12 years and was the vision of my father. They discuss topics, share ideas and enjoy a lunch together in Woking, Surrey.
As I was preparing my presentation, I reflected on the leadership lessons learned from father:
- (Gujarati) “Bada khada ma pade to taree kahda ma padwanu”. ???? English translation – if everyone falls in a ditch, do you have to fall in too? Whilst this was annoying as a child when used to exercise parental guidance, I later realised that he was also leading me to be independent minded. To become my own version of the best that I could be and follow my own path.
- Leadership is about community ???????????? ???? ????????????. We arrived as refugees in the UK in 1972. From that time, my parents have been instrumental in setting up 3 different community organisations to serve various aspects of the Indian community. They volunteered their time, effort, energy and money to form a sense of cohesion and camaraderie. I learned that leadership is about creating a cohesive and collaborative community that supports and lifts its members.
- Constructive conflict is a catalyst for growth ????. Accepting that every group, no matter how cohesive, will have challenges. Channelling the challenges towards evolving the group rather than individuals is the role of the leader.
I am in awe of my father, still vital and engaged in serving the community in his 80s. ????????????????♂️ No doubt his motivation and longevity has something to do with the lovely people that I met at Vadil Parivar (family of elders).
Thank you to everyone that came along and participated in the Mahabharata quiz and yoga nidra. I hope you enjoyed the Timtams! ????????????
What are the leadership lessons that you have learned from your parents or family?
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