Quite a number of female leaders admit that their success was greatly influenced by their teachers. Below are some examples:
Oprah Winfrey:
In the fourth grade, Oprah mentioned about Mrs. Duncan; her teacher who saw her love for books and prompted her to pursue more information. With this belief in Oprah, she became an enthusiast for education.
Malala Yousafzai:
Malala has revealed that she had to thank her father who doubled as her teacher for imprinting in her mind the need to be educated and fight for its provision to all. His support and commitment toward Malala’s education gave her the impetus to advocate for girls’ right to schooling.
Indra Nooyi:
Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, has spoken about the men at Yale School of Management who taught Indra how to juggle between a demanding job and family responsibilities. They nurtured her into being a leader.
Teachers play significant roles in shaping women leaders just like these instances clearly demonstrate above. Women world over have testified on how educators’ encouragement, guidance and mentorship have given birth to potential future global leaders
Mentoring teachers that are effective, can empower women in overcoming different barriers and moving to leadership positions. Customizing the mentoring to suit the specific individual requirements as well as the objectives is necessary for a development plan which is very much impactful and unique. First of all, mentors, who are teachers, should understand various challenges faced by women in labor market. It includes dealing with societal expectations, building self-esteem as well as tackling gender bias. Mentors will be able to adapt their guidance by taking into account these challenges especially by helping women overcome hurdles on their way and fostering resilience. Also, skills development must be a part of mentoring programs. A case in point is instructors who can contribute towards developing such leadership attributes like critical thinking, decision making and good communication. Besides one-on-one coaching; workshops, seminars or real-life case studies give insights on leadership problems and how they can be addressed effectively. Moreover, mentorship should also encompass encouragement of an entrepreneurial mind-set. Teachers can motivate women entrepreneurs to become innovative risk takers who bounce back from failure. Female businesspeople need active support of their mentors so that they create equal opportunities for them while debunking some myths about them. By offering individualized advice, encouraging skill development, fighting for equal opportunities, developing an entrepreneurial spirit, and utilizing their networks, teachers can play a crucial role in preparing women for leadership roles. Teachers help to create a more varied, inclusive, and creative entrepreneurial ecosystem by actively promoting and empowering women in business.
At Jaipuria Institute of Management, we prioritize the “student first” principle, ensuring a personalized and supportive learning environment from the moment a student joins our institute. Upon admission, each student is assigned a dedicated mentor who collaborates closely to identify their individual interests and aspirations. Our commitment to mentorship transcends gender biases, as mentors work with unwavering dedication to help students realize their dreams. Recognizing the remarkable achievements of women across various fields, we are dedicated to preparing them for the dynamic business world. Our programs empower women to excel in roles spanning sales and marketing, digital marketing, financial analysis, portfolio management, research, consulting, human resources, training, customer relations, key account management, and more. We provide a conducive ecosystem for skill development through a blend of classroom and extracurricular activities. Actively engaging in planning and organizing various club and committee activities, our students gain confidence, polish their skills, and hone their capabilities, and prepare themselves for diverse leadership roles in the professional arena.
The author is the Dean at Student Affairs, Jaipuria Institute of Management-Indore.