Creating Future Leaders In Students

'I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.' – ALBERT EINSTEIN

Teachers have an unglamorous profession if their sole purpose in their lives is to educate students. They have been unfairly compared, and the adage ‘Those who can’t, teach’ suggests that these educators are despised for their efforts. In spite of the plethora of education that most students graduate with, they may not graduate with honors. That is, they are educated yet not functionally ready.

Education prepares you with skills that are useful, to a large extent. Yet, if education is merely the pursuit of pure knowledge and a certificate to prove you can past examinations successfully, then it has failed in its purpose. If the student learns, and continues to learn, then perhaps education has succeeded. Continuous learning and clever application are the major goals to seek. Learning is not a destination; it is a journey.

Beyond providing a suitable environment for learning, the teacher’s purpose is to share their passion for learning. They encourage the best out of students, so as to excite them to explore possibilities, engage in useful conversations, ask profound questions, challenge their thinking, and build their confidence as future adults. Rote learning has its relevance once learning has been achieved.

Today, we know that ‘Those who can, also do teach’. Universities recruit former-executives to deliver its post-degree programs; they deliberately add relevance to the theoretical basis, to convince students of what has worked, and can work. The roles of teachers include selling and marketing; they have become pitchmen for subjects. The competition for students’ attention leads to teachers having to become more versatile and competent in the area of influence. After all, leaders help create future leaders through the many leadership lessons that emerge through engaging conversations. It does not have to limited to classroom sessions, but also through sports, recreation and uniformed groups.

Leadership lessons: How do you bring the best out of your students? How often do you engage them in conversations of worth?