LETTERS:Unprecedented times due to the pandemic requires skills of higher order. The challenges that face the educational sector are multifaceted and it is necessary to have able leadership and team skills to tide over these uncertain times.
Further, the Malaysian Qualification Framework emphasises the need for leadership and team skills in students. Usually, the leadership skills are best learnt from the peers and teachers in the learning setting. The students most of the times look up to teachers who serve as role models and help in mentoring their career skills.
Man is an intrinsic part of nature and at times we fail to realize that there are more to learn from the Nature. There are amazing leadership traits that are exhibited by certain animals which could serve as models to emulate. The leadership skills incorporated in curriculum helps in growth and success of students.
First, the Lion or the boss - Lion is usually regarded as the King of the forest, but in an educational organisation is a Lion a preferred leader?
An alpha lion believes in commanding the group by aggression. He dominates by keeping his subordinates submissive with a roar. He executes his supremacy and expects subordinates to follow his orders. But the lion also defends his team with his life and protects them against all odds, The Lion boss is good in getting the work done on time and but not emotionally involved with the team.
A strict disciplinarian and dominating teacher who believes in getting the work done by the student with command is a Lion boss. He also goes out of way to fight for his mentees.
Second, the Elephant, the servant leader - Leader of elephant group is a matriarch, an elderly female in the group. Leadership is by guidance and wisdom gained over experience. Experience is a key aspect of leadership in elephants and not dominance.
Elephant leader believes in the motto- to empower, to change and to live in harmony. Elephant leaders have career planning and do necessary job training to equip the team with necessary skills.
When it is time to choose the next leader, the matriarch paves way for its successor and facilitates another experienced member of the team to take over. A matriarch is more a servant leader. A mentoring teacher who is source of wisdom and inspiration is an example of servant leader.
Third, the Queen bee, the influencer - The key to the success of bees and many other insect families is team work. The motto is 'All for one, one for all.' The queen bee believes in delegation of labour among its team.
There is no job in the team which is menial or inferior. Each of the teams are independent in operation and they have autonomy in their respective jobs be it house-keeping, foraging, protecting the hive (soldiers), parental care, honey making, etc.
The queen has a phenomenal influence on the hive and keeps the whole dwelling in harmony and peace. A Queen bee is leader of self-discipline, dignity and decorum. She is so powerful, but yet punishes no one in the hive; when needed queen stings only another queen!
An empathetic teacher who provides emotional support and counselling and the student prefer to confide is an example of Influencer. This teacher can crack even the hard shell (student) and treats all of the members of her class equally.
Fourth, the wolf leader, the path finder - The wolf is best known of its team work, loyalty to its pack and excellent vision and a fine smell of finding and tracking. The wolf is a highly social animal.
They travel together, eat together, hunt together and play together. Wolf leader believes in the slogan "Never, ever give up" and has the unquenchable curiosity. The wolf leader makes its own path and prefers to be early birds during hunt.
A strict teacher but adventurous teacher can help the student to discover his/her own self and show them a unique path to success, most of the times its the path that is not previously ventured.
Fifth, the Eagle, the trend setter - The Eagle leader has a boarder vision and has a long distance focus with precision and clarity. In life it is most important to be 'the first' to spot any opportunity and move swiftly to make the best use of it. The visionary leaders guide the team not to miss any market opportunity but ensure that the iron is struck when it is hot.
The visionary teacher foresees the academic progress of the students and sees the futuristic progress of the student by providing career guidance. The visionary teacher identifies the learning difficulties in students requiring additional support and gives timely solutions. At the same time, also recognises the high achievers to help them to excel.
Sixth, migratory birds, transformational leader - The migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres to and fro every year. The birds usually make a V-formation to overcome this arduous journey by taking turns to lead.
It is a sort of transformational leadership which is also seen in penguins where different team members take lead to march and so that all members get the advantage of getting insulated and staying warm by sticking together. Such leaders encourage and bring about the change by tapping the inner potential of the team members.
A transformational teacher is more a facilitator in the teaching sessions allowing the students to take turns to demonstrate their capability in terms of practical skills. This teacher ensures that each pupil gets equal opportunity to present his view pint or showcase his/her talent.
There are varying traits that are unique and special to each of these animal leaders, it is in our wisdom to mix and match the traits suitable to the situation to practice 'situational leadership'. Educators can incorporate the jungle wisdom in their teaching skills and be an inspiration for learning the essential leadership skills during the University training.
DR GOKUL SHANKAR SABESAN
Senior Associate Professor and Deputy Dean of Student Affairs
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times