I’ve always believed that true growth comes from trust.
During my tenure as a Supervisor, we had to organize the Farewell Ceremony, and I decided it was the perfect opportunity to empower my team.
I remember announcing with conviction,
“This year, the teachers and the student council will take full charge of the program. I’ll just be a guiding presence in the background.”
They nodded politely, exchanged meaningful glances, and one teacher said confidently,
“We’ve done it for several years, we’ll follow the same format.”
The Student Cultural Coordinator smiled and asked,
“Ma’am, are you sure you trust us that much?”
“Of course!” I laughed and silently thought to myself, What could possibly go wrong?
The following weeks went by smoothly. The meetings were well-organized, rehearsals looked promising, and everyone seemed confident.
Finally, the big day arrived. Everything looked perfect — the decorations were in place, the participants were radiant, and the guests were settling in. As the performances began, I relaxed in my seat, proud of my team’s hard work.
Then, the drama segment started. Within the first few minutes, I realized something was… different. The students had “improvised” their dialogues. What was once planned as a polite farewell had turned into a spirited and slightly controversial satire on school life.
The audience gasped. Teachers exchanged wide-eyed looks. One student in the background whispered,
“Did they really just say that?”
Meanwhile, I maintained what I like to call my diplomatic smile of calm panic.
After the performance, the activity in-charge hurried over, flustered.
“Ma’am, I promise they only changed a few lines at the last minute!”
I smiled and replied,
“Well, those few lines have certainly made this ceremony unforgettable.”
Later, we gathered the team for a discussion. Rather than reprimanding them, I simply asked,
“What do you think the audience took away from today’s performance?”
That question opened the doors for reflection!
That experience still reminds me that effective leadership lies in the delicate space between freedom and guidance. Too much control stifles initiative, while too little direction can lead to chaos. Trust is vital, but trust without gentle supervision can turn a well-meant experiment into a learning explosion. True trust doesn’t mean absence — it means presence with purpose.
And since that day, whenever someone says,
“Ma’am, don’t worry, we’ve got it all under control,”
I smile and reply,
“Wonderful. Let’s just review the plan together.”
Today, as Vice Principal of the school, I believe that leadership is the continuous act of learning, evolving, and adapting from past experiences, current circumstances, and, most importantly, from one’s own mistakes.
MONICA CHELANI
Vice Principal- Academics
