1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a principal, there are several challenges that come with the role of being a leader. Managing a diverse range of stakeholders and creating and maintaining a positive school culture is the first challenge. Principals play a crucial role in establishing a positive school culture that fosters academic success, student well-being, and a supportive environment. This requires strong leadership skills, effective communication, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Principals are responsible for ensuring that all students have equal access to quality education and opportunities for success.Education is a dynamic field with evolving trends, research, and policies. Principals need to stay informed about these changes and adapt their leadership practices accordingly. Keeping up with the latest educational developments can be time-consuming but is essential for effective decision-making. Striking the right balance between administrative responsibilities and educational leadership was also challenging. But I enjoyed working to face all these challenges.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I’m basically a learner, a teacher and then a leader. If you ask me the phase which you like the most in my journey, then I would answer the phase when I was being a teacher. I love my profession and it’s my passion to facilitate the students and teachers. Every day I thank the universe for making me an educationist. I started my career as a teacher of a nursery class teacher, and got promoted every year and reached the Principal's post. I did work as a coordinator, Vice Principal and so I have tasted every level of K-12 school.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

When I was working , my routine starts with walking, yoga and tea with newspaper and breakfast, driving to school, and then not a single minute free. The whole day was so busy and in the evening ofcourse with friends & family.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

The leadership lesson learnt recently is to take out time for individuals also apart from the responsibilities which are never ending.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The book"Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" is a book written by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles which had a great impact on my life as well as on my leadership. It explores the concept of ikigai, a Japanese term that loosely translates to "reason for being" or "the joy and fulfillment of life." The book delves into the principles and practices that can help individuals discover and live their ikigai.

books provide leaders with a wealth of knowledge, insights, and inspiration. They contribute to leadership development by enhancing skills, expanding perspectives, and fostering continuous learning. By investing time in reading, leaders can sharpen their abilities, stay current in their fields, and cultivate their own unique leadership style.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

The one piece of advice to young leader will be to embrace a growth mindset as a young leader. See challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, stay curious and open-minded, seek feedback, and take calculated risks. Emphasize progress over perfection and view failures as valuable learning experiences.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

The meaningful story as a leader, once a student was struggling to open her lunch box and I was on rounds and I just stopped to help her to open the lunch box. That was a simple incident but years later that girl has mentioned in her speech to say that she started believing in people after that. I was happily shocked that what an act of kindness can do to a person.