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A True Leader! - Dr. India White
India White • Jul 28, 2021
With even just a cursory glance through the annals of history, one finds the importance of individuals in human society and progress. The way history is taught today, although flawed in many ways, does well in highlighting the importance of great people in the pursuit of noble goals. The likes of Tubman, MLK, Gandhi, and Stanton light up the darkest moments in history with their incredible acts of humanity and peace. They were leaders, in the truest sense of the word, guiding the masses through sheer force of will alone and brought about unprecedented change for those who supported them and, more importantly, those who didn’t.
But wait, you may be asking, there are many people we consider leaders today who are not as noble, and yet, they’re successful anyways -- what gives? And yes, that’s a valid point but also, a sad reality. You see, there are many types of leaders, but generally, they boil down to two: those who succeed for themselves at the cost of others and those who succeed for others at the cost of themselves. The former is known as a boss, and is typically focused only on results. The latter is known as servant leadership, and it is the most human form of leadership we have witnessed.
First coined in his 1970 essay, “servant leadership” is the phrase used by Robert Greenleaf to describe a leadership philosophy that places emphasis on individuals. While traditional leadership values the betterment of the whole, servant leadership takes that extra step to better the individual for the whole.
Within the context of a company, a servant leader cares for the development and well-being of his or her employees. Whether that’s giving them opportunities to grow or providing them better health insurance. There are many ways to care for the well-being of employees, but the end goal is for them to grow. If your employees grow, your company will naturally follow suit. If you rapidly expand your company first, your employees will have to stretch unnaturally and grow quickly to fill in. You can always hire more people, sure, but consider the wasted capital and potential that your original employees could’ve used.
There are so many benefits to incorporating servant leadership into your business. Not only does employee growth help them accomplish more things, it also allows them to serve others in return, creating a positive cycle of service and performance. When leaders serve others before themselves, their employees (or followers) are more likely to remain loyal. This valuable loyalty is not one that can simply be bought with money, but rather one earned through genuine human connection. These loyal employees will not fear their leader. As a result, they are not afraid to make their own decisions, they aren’t scared to take risks for the benefit of the company. They can perform at their best without the fear of being judged or punished if their best doesn’t match what the boss had in mind. If every employee in your company is then performing at their best, your company will certainly be at its best as well. And the better the company gets, the more people want to join and the more your original employees want to stay, leading to a natural growth of your company, driven by the awesome people within it. When you put others before yourself, you will find respect and friendship in front of you. Servant leaders make companions, whereas bosses make slaves.
Major companies like Starbucks, Nordstrom, and Marriott have servant leaders at the executive level, and their well-deserved successes are testaments to the strength and integrity of servant leadership. If you want to pursue this life, if you want to become a true leader for others, try reading Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, and always remember to serve others before yourself -- a path of greatness will then await you.
‼️So grateful for the opportunity to hear testimonials and reviews from a few rockstar educators about their takeaways and experiences from my Equitable math 🧮 practices session at MCTM in Minnesota this weekend🤩! It's inspiring to hear teachers who provide feedback and work to close the achievement gap. 🥰Let's continue learning from each other and making a difference in the lives of our students! #teacherappreciation #education #equitablemath #achievementgap #drindiawhite #teachers #tedx #equity Check out the session highlights here:
‼️Listen as a gritty Middle Eastern teacher explains how attending my Equity Keynote at the Math conference, helped her connect her experience as a BIPOC educator with her perspective on how to implement equitable practices for all students and relate to students of different cultures! #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #dei #math #education #teachers #students #bipoc #savvas #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #habse #uf
I urge you to take a moment to listen to Dr. India White's enlightening TEDx talk, "The Power of Grit," where she delves into what drives grit in the lives of leaders, teachers, and students every day. In this captivating presentation, Dr. White offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of grit—the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. As educators and leaders, we play a pivotal role in instilling and nurturing grit among our students and colleagues. Dr. White's talk serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we cultivate grit within ourselves and those we influence. I encourage you to watch the TEDx talk for a deeper understanding of how grit can drive success in our classrooms, workplaces, and lives.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Alumni Gainesville reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Young Alumni reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
Join us on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we will discuss spaced vs. mass practice for teachers! Visit www.india-white.com for more information #drindiawhite #grit #equity
🥳As the opening keynote at the WMC Annual conference, I had the opportunity to discuss equitable math practices with teachers. I am grateful to have gifted 30 copies of the Equity Counts book collaboration after my session! 🤩Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for making this happen🥰. The best is yet to come for Wisconsin teachers and students! #EquitableMath #Education #EquityCounts #savvas #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #WisconsinTeachers #StudentSuccess #wismath24 #nctm #ncsm… See more — at On Green Lake in Wisconsin.
Hanging out wit the tribe! I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at @WisMathCouncil 🤩 We applied the concept of grit in their classroom! Thanks to @SavvasLearning!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
This morning, I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at WMC's Annual Math Conference. 🤩The conference was a great success, with attendees discussing the importance of grit in both teachers and students. I’m excited to see Wisconsin teachers apply the concept of grit in their classrooms and help their students develop this crucial! Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for the support and encouragement!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
‼️Attention all Wisconsin teachers! Are you ready to enhance your teaching skills and help your students develop their grit😃? If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase my Grit Workbook at a discounted price! 🤗I have 50 copies available at WMC, so come and grab your copy this week🤩! #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers