In my 16 years in the education sector, nine of which were spent as a deputy under Dr. Ahmed Anwar in administering atoll schools, I learned a leadership lesson that remains a guiding light: don’t find fault.
Dr. Anwar, my mentor, embodied this principle, coupling it with an unwavering commitment to empowering people. His approach transformed challenges into opportunities, fostered resilience, and drove ambitious progress in the face of daunting constraints.
As leaders navigate today’s complex organizational landscapes, I believe Dr. Anwar’s leadership offers timeless lessons for creating impactful, inclusive, and forward-thinking organizations.
A Vision Beyond Blame
In the remote atolls, where schools faced limited budgets, unreliable transportation, and the isolation of expatriate teachers on islands with scant healthcare or connectivity, setbacks were inevitable. Yet, Dr. Anwar never pointed fingers. Instead, he steered our daily conversations: often long, reflective dialogues; toward solutions and progress.
Whether the goal was universalizing primary education up to grade 7, and eventually 10, or ensuring every school had functional toilets, he focused on “the way forward.” This no-fault philosophy wasn’t just a tactic; it was a mindset that transformed our approach to leadership.
Fault-finding breeds fear, stifles creativity, and erodes trust. In contrast, Dr. Anwar’s approach created a safe space where teachers, staff, and administrators felt empowered to take risks and innovate.
A delayed supply shipment to a remote island wasn’t a reason to blame the logistics team; it was an opportunity to brainstorm alternative transport routes. A struggling expatriate teacher wasn’t criticized; they were supported with resources and encouragement to adapt.
This culture of accountability without blame allowed us to tackle the “almost impossible” with optimism and collaboration.
Empowerment as the Heart of Leadership
Dr. Anwar’s refusal to find fault was inseparable from his commitment to empowering people. He didn’t dictate solutions from above; he engaged us as partners in the mission.
Our daily discussions weren’t just about logistics: they were about shared ownership of ambitious goals.
He trusted us to navigate the complexities of limited budgets, unreliable ferries, and the cultural nuances of remote communities. This empowerment built confidence and resilience, enabling us to achieve milestones like expanding educational access across the atolls despite scarce resources.
Empowerment, in Dr. Anwar’s hands, was more than delegation. It was about instilling belief in our ability to overcome obstacles. Teachers felt trusted to innovate in their classrooms, even in under-resourced schools. Administrators like me were encouraged to think creatively, whether it was securing community support for infrastructure projects or finding ways to make expatriate teachers feel connected despite their isolation.
This trust fostered a sense of purpose, uniting us in the pursuit of transformative goals.
Lessons for Today’s Leaders
Dr. Anwar’s leadership offers three key lessons for school heads, administrators, and leaders in any field:
1. Focus on Solutions, Not Faults: Blaming individuals for setbacks breeds defensiveness and stifles progress. By redirecting energy toward solutions, leaders can turn challenges into opportunities.
This might mean addressing a colleague’s performance struggles with mentorship rather than criticism, or tackling budget cuts with creative resource allocation rather than complaints.
2. Empower to Inspire Resilience: Trusting teams to take ownership of their roles builds resilience and innovation. In today’s challenging times; empowering staff to experiment and collaborate can drive meaningful progress.
Like Dr. Anwar, leaders should treat their teams as partners, not subordinates, in achieving shared goals.
3. Keep the Vision Forward: Ambitious goals, like universal education or equitable infrastructure, required a relentless focus on the future. Leaders were compelled to hold space for meaningful conversations that kept teams aligned on the “why” behind their work, even when the “how” felt daunting.
It was this vision-driven approach that sustained momentum through adversity in our goid olden days. I strongly believe it holds true today.
A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Anwar’s leadership left an indelible mark on me as I transitioned to responsibilities elsewhere.
His no-fault philosophy shaped how I handled conflicts, always prioritizing growth over blame. His empowerment inspired me to trust my teams, fostering a culture where innovation thrived despite limited resources.
His faith to achieve universal education in those trying times taught me to set bold goals and rally others to achieve them, no matter the obstacles.
In a world where leadership is often equated with authority or control, Dr. Anwar’s example reminds us that true leadership lies in lifting others up.
By empowering people and refusing to find fault, he turned the “almost impossible” into reality: school by school, island by island.
As we navigate enormous challenges, from inequities to resource constraints, let us lead like Dr. Anwar: with vision, trust, and an unwavering focus on the way forward.
Smile and Let Smile 