Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
Multidisciplinary Education: Erase the borders
Excerpts from article by G. Srinivas and Salil S., published in The Hindu
Few know that Florence Nightingale was also a math wizard or that Leonardo da Vinci was interested in math and accounting, and collaborated with Luca de Pacioli, who is considered as the father of accounting. Lewis Carroll was also a mathematician.
Our imagination is limited by the disciplines and expertise we attribute to others and conditioned by disciplinary labels and talent tags. The research world is increasingly practising the idea of interdisciplinarity; whereas, in teaching, we are yet to traverse seamlessly across disciplines.
Un-disciplining knowledge
Knowledge is neither linear nor solid. The nature of human understanding itself is fluid, spiral and pervading. Attempts to compartmentalise knowledge into subjects and modules are for our own convenience.
Deep disciplinary understanding is the foundation to create a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary classroom. But, what do these words mean? Multidisciplinary classrooms are like fruit salads. It involves different disciplinary perspectives that can be distinguished from one another, just like we differentiate each fruit in salad. An interdisciplinary approach is like making smoothies. It integrates two or more disciplines so that their borders are marginal or merged completely.
A theme-based approach is one method of making interdisciplinary teaching work. The chemistry of rain, atmospherics of rain, rain-water harvesting, poetry of rain and dancing in the rain can all come together if our students appreciate and internalise rain. Another is team teaching. Collaborating disciplines requires the faculty members to work together. Creating interdisciplinary teams within institutions is seen as an attempt towards this, but with mixed results.
Hindrances
The rigidity of departmental structures existing in schools, colleges and universities are a major hindrance for the poor practical adoption of interdisciplinary approaches. It is hard to create an interdisciplinary classroom in mono-disciplinary structures. Another problem is the recruitment pattern in India, which depends on disciplinary credentials at the cost of ignoring demonstrated ability or potential.
To be truly holistic
Many institutions use words like “holistic” and “all round” in their vision, mission and value statements. If we want to match the claims with evidence, there should be room for real learning and research, cutting across boundaries. Courses in Digital Humanities, Computational Sociology, Eco-economy, Inner-ecology, Creative Coding, Educational design and Social Engineering are no more fancy names, but cross-domain areas of knowledge and skills.
Set aside the linear mind and enjoy the salads and smoothies of learning and teaching!
Career
Reimagining leadership in the age of disruption
Excerpts from article by HT Brand Studio
One of the biggest challenges for leaders, historically, has been the ability to predict change. The ones who were able to do so successfully thrived, while the ones who missed the bus perished.
The last few months have been one of the biggest challenges of our times. The core of our business ecosystems has been altered. As people and businesses alike adapt to the unfamiliar order, leaders need to change as well to help organisations innovate, stay relevant, and create value for their stakeholders.
Realising the full potential of technology
The last few years had put the focus on digital transformation. But, what was viewed as a medium to long-term necessity, became the need of the hour post COVID-19. Organisations were compelled to accelerate their digital transformation, formulating new processes and systems on priority.
Leaders need to tap the full potential of this digital disruption and create work environments where people and technology complement each other. The leaders of tomorrow need to understand how new-age technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) can help in achieving business goals.
Adapting to changes in customer behaviour
As consumer behaviours evolve, trust will emerge as a key area of focus. There has been a shift in the kind of products and services being consumed and the way in which the new consumer wants to be served. From sales becoming contactless and moving to online platforms to services like e-fitting rooms springing up, the change is clearly evident across industries.
Focusing on empathy & employee welfare
Empathy is emerging as one of the strongest virtues for leaders in these challenging times.
While people find their own work-life balance, managing hybrid teams will require new skills and a change in mindset of the leadership. They need to ensure that teams stay motivated and geared to deliver the business results. Leaders need to come up with new ways to foster team building in an environment where colleagues are working remotely and have not met face to face for months.
Finding purpose through sustainability
Social responsibility is gaining precedence across business lines and it will be the responsibility of the leaders of the future to carve out a long-term vision that has a purpose. This vision should be a reflection of the values of the business, its stakeholders, and employees.
Leaders across industries need to work towards a change of focus to overall sustainability by imbibing responsible business practices, right from waste management and water conservation to achieving net-zero emissions.
The impact of any organisation’s activities on the environment will be assessed with a magnifying glass and the virtues of responsible living and responsible businesses will benefit all.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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