I have so many examples of excellent leadership in my life, especially amongst educators.
When I began my senior year of high school, I knew not a single soul. I was the “new kid” - not just new to the school, but new to town, to traditions, and to friend groups that had been years in the making. My father had started a new job that summer and we relocated to Clinton, Iowa - to a school three times the size of my former institution – where I knew no one. I was terrified, but also excited. New can be incredibly hard, but new is also the door to possibility.
Despite only being there for one year, that place - that school—changed my life.
Thanks to my perfect GPA and a connection between my former principal Mr. Lowe and the CHS principal Mr. Howe, they rolled out the welcome mat for me.
I will never forget the first day I met with my guidance counselor, Mrs. Ullrich, at CHS. She handed me a thick folder full of college scholarship applications she had determined I was eligible for. Because I was a straight-A student, she probably assumed I was college-bound and never questioned any other path for me. In hindsight, that one assumption changed the trajectory of my future.
I had contemplated college, but wasn’t really sure how to make it happen. No one in my family had graduated from college. But Clinton High School and Mrs. Ullrich helped me navigate that journey with ease and confidence.
Sometimes, all it takes is one person seeing something in you you haven’t yet seen in yourself.
"Sometimes, all it takes is one person seeing something in you you haven’t yet seen in yourself." That line is profound. That is the role of teachers, counselors, bosses... Look how someone saw you, really SAW you. And saw a future for you that you had never even contemplated (or knew about). Thank you for sharing... but as importantly, thank you for EDUCATING and supporting others!
My inspiration came from my maternal grandfather. He was blinded while playing in the midst of a stop during the India-Pakistan partition. Not one to become dependent he sought independence by learning to work by touch and started weaving rattan chairs. During downtime he'd do another touch-based job- pouring candles. He expanded it by hiring other blind people and taught them to do this work and live independently.
He never boasted about his independence or keep his employees from leaving to do their own thing - unsurprisingly, none ever leave. Leadership can be kind, quiet, persistent, and humble.
Tej, what an amazing story. I see where your grit came from, as well as your ingrained desire to help others. Thank you for sharing. I am excited to launch this column -- since I hit "post" yesterday, you are my 4th subscriber. Wow, that is how words can travel and suddenly I learn about your grandfather's life during partition. I wonder what we can do together to inspire others to lead with courage, independence and generosity to others!
It will be good to hear diverse stories of leadership. As Susan Cain eloquently outlines in her book, leaders of impact are rarely bombastic or self-aggrandizing. Those stories can inspire others who share such servant leadership attributes but recoil at bluster and demeaning treatment of those in their care. I like that you're extending your thoughtful exploration of leadership through storytelling
I have so many examples of excellent leadership in my life, especially amongst educators.
When I began my senior year of high school, I knew not a single soul. I was the “new kid” - not just new to the school, but new to town, to traditions, and to friend groups that had been years in the making. My father had started a new job that summer and we relocated to Clinton, Iowa - to a school three times the size of my former institution – where I knew no one. I was terrified, but also excited. New can be incredibly hard, but new is also the door to possibility.
Despite only being there for one year, that place - that school—changed my life.
Thanks to my perfect GPA and a connection between my former principal Mr. Lowe and the CHS principal Mr. Howe, they rolled out the welcome mat for me.
I will never forget the first day I met with my guidance counselor, Mrs. Ullrich, at CHS. She handed me a thick folder full of college scholarship applications she had determined I was eligible for. Because I was a straight-A student, she probably assumed I was college-bound and never questioned any other path for me. In hindsight, that one assumption changed the trajectory of my future.
I had contemplated college, but wasn’t really sure how to make it happen. No one in my family had graduated from college. But Clinton High School and Mrs. Ullrich helped me navigate that journey with ease and confidence.
Sometimes, all it takes is one person seeing something in you you haven’t yet seen in yourself.
"Sometimes, all it takes is one person seeing something in you you haven’t yet seen in yourself." That line is profound. That is the role of teachers, counselors, bosses... Look how someone saw you, really SAW you. And saw a future for you that you had never even contemplated (or knew about). Thank you for sharing... but as importantly, thank you for EDUCATING and supporting others!
My inspiration came from my maternal grandfather. He was blinded while playing in the midst of a stop during the India-Pakistan partition. Not one to become dependent he sought independence by learning to work by touch and started weaving rattan chairs. During downtime he'd do another touch-based job- pouring candles. He expanded it by hiring other blind people and taught them to do this work and live independently.
He never boasted about his independence or keep his employees from leaving to do their own thing - unsurprisingly, none ever leave. Leadership can be kind, quiet, persistent, and humble.
He lived independently to his dying day.
Tej, what an amazing story. I see where your grit came from, as well as your ingrained desire to help others. Thank you for sharing. I am excited to launch this column -- since I hit "post" yesterday, you are my 4th subscriber. Wow, that is how words can travel and suddenly I learn about your grandfather's life during partition. I wonder what we can do together to inspire others to lead with courage, independence and generosity to others!
It will be good to hear diverse stories of leadership. As Susan Cain eloquently outlines in her book, leaders of impact are rarely bombastic or self-aggrandizing. Those stories can inspire others who share such servant leadership attributes but recoil at bluster and demeaning treatment of those in their care. I like that you're extending your thoughtful exploration of leadership through storytelling
Feel free to share! I'll start promoting this in a week or 2...