Inspirational leadership

 Inspirational Leadership: The Power of Restraint

True leadership is measured not by how much you do, but by how much others can achieve because of you.

After 40 years in education, including becoming Headmaster of The Bishop’s School, Pune before I was 30, and now overseeing six large GEMS CBSE schools, I’ve discovered a truth most leadership guides seldom emphasise: restraint. Leadership is not about working longer hours, micromanaging, or issuing endless top-down instructions. It is about strategic action, decisive choices, and inspiring confidence.

In the UAE, we are fortunate to witness leadership at its finest. The country is what it is today because of visionary leaders whose no-nonsense approach, foresight, and unwavering commitment to excellence have transformed a region and inspired generations. Their example reminds us that true leaders empower others, make smart decisions, and create systems that allow talent to flourish.

Each of the six GEMS CBSE schools I oversee already has outstanding leaders, and my role is to mentor, support, and create conditions for their excellence to thrive. Leadership is about being friendly but professional—no back-slapping, no crossing the line, and always respectful. Familiarity breeds contempt, so integrity and accountability are non-negotiable.

Some of history’s most remarkable leaders, from Gandhi to Nelson Mandela, achieved extraordinary outcomes not by doing everything themselves, but by guiding, empowering, and creating space for others to act. Similarly, effective school leadership is less about occupying the spotlight and more about cultivating trust, initiative, and growth among staff and students.

A great leader lights the path, then steps aside and allows the team to walk it with confidence. Restraint is not weakness—it is mastery.

A lot of people tend to complicate Leadership- my mantra has always been- KEEP IT SIMPLE