Raising Future Leaders: Lessons From the Indian Army For Today’s Classrooms
Share
Education must evolve away from textbooks and exams to prepare for an evolving, unpredictable, complex and rapidly changing world. Education plays a key role in the development of character and value-based leadership. A prime example of the leadership qualities that can be developed through values and support for others is the Indian Army.
The Indian Army protects the country and quietly supports leaders who will have a positive impact on their country. From combat operations to humanitarian assistance operations, the Indian Army has created a culture of mentorship that provides both an example of opportunity for leadership, accountability, teamwork, and loyalty. Leadership in the Indian Army is an ethical journey; leaders lead by example and take ownership of their actions and those of others. Examples of successful leaders are available for students through their involvement in the Indian Army. The example set by their leaders demonstrates that leadership is developed through ethical actions, discipline and consistency, rather than through position and authority.
In addition to providing examples of successful leadership, the Indian Army teaches students a valuable lesson in resiliency. Soldiers are trained to have a steady hand during moments of crisis; to be adaptable to new conditions and to rise above adversities. Educators should utilize the stories of the resilience and emotional strength of soldiers to provide children a better understanding of failure and that it is a stepping stone to reaching one’s full potential.
Courage today encompasses much more than the arena of combat. Rather than only fighting for your country’s rights, today courage embodies making ethical decisions, standing for what is right and showing empathy towards others during difficult times. Moreover, the Indian Army teaches us that the epitome of true bravery lies within compassion, accountability and moral clarity. By fostering values of compassion, accountability and moral clarity in classrooms, students become visionary leaders; being both courageous decision makers and conscientious human beings.
Much the same as the armed forces, 21st Century classrooms provide an environment that includes diversity. Diversity includes the many different viewpoints, cultures and learning styles of the students. The army has found success in building an environment where collaboration, respect and community has created a culture of cooperation and collaboration and supports an effective interface with people from other countries. This culture of collaboration has enabled the Army to equip its soldiers with the skills they need to function as United States leaders on the world stage, while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the principles of their country. By developing curriculum that prepares future leaders to be adaptable to diverse environments, schools can aid in developing their future leaders’ capabilities to adapt to their respective circumstances.
All the same, education is an essential contributor to building a nation. Education is formed by teaching schools to cultivate ethics, morals, and academics in their schools, which are essential to becoming an effective member of society. The Indian Army has served as a guide for us to understand that true Leadership comes from having a strong sense of discipline, service to others, and purpose, and through our classrooms, we can instil the characteristics of Leadership in our students.
“The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.” — Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
Views are personal
The author is COO, Radcliffe School
