What I Learnt from My Learners (Part III)

What I Learnt from My Learners (Part III)

As a trainer cum teacher, it's always a pleasure to come across exciting ideas and insightful thoughts that my learners share during classroom discussions. Recently, we had an amazing discussion over '360 degree feedback' as a leadership tool; and here in this series of 'What I Learnt from My Learners', I'm featuring some of the brilliant responses. Enjoy the read!

As a trainer cum teacher, it's always a pleasure to come across exciting ideas and insightful thoughts that my learners share during classroom discussions.

I usually take this as an opportunity to know their perspectives, and learn from them too. Being a life skills coach, it's great to train my learners for 21st century life skills.

One most crucial life skill is 'Leadership' that has been constantly ranked as One of Top 10 Skills of 2025 by World Economic Forum. Recently, I had an amazing discussion over '360 Degree Feedback' as one of the major elements of 'Leadership Toolbox'.

This process is useful for all individuals because it helps them understand their strengths and weaknesses and how to progress in their life. Here in this series of 'What I Learnt from My Learners',

I am featuring some of the brilliant responses by my amazing young learners. Enjoy the read!

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NITIKA BHAMBRI explains, "My 360-degree feedback enabled me to have a deeper insight into what my team members and family think of me and what are my weaknesses that I need to work upon. It made me understand how I am portrayed in front of others...I realized what my team members felt I was lacking in my leadership and hence it gave me a chance to improve myself. This feedback was offered to me by 7 people including family, teammates, and myself. I realized my brother felt that even though I understand others' opinion, I should put forth my opinion too and work accordingly. Many other things were highlighted as well, and I hope I am able to improve my weak points and become a better person."

KASTUREE HAJRA mentions, "Well, I also received my 360 degree feedback from five individuals who happen to be my mother, my three teammates and myself. I got a lot to know the kind of a person I am (as perceived by others) vs. what I actually am. Honestly, the feedback from my three team mates was so sweet and true, I felt like hugging them...My mother's one, I was expecting much worse but surprisingly I am not as bad as I think myself to be. She along with Baba gave me points which I never thought I was good at or need to improve upon. I was so happy and overwhelmed to see my true self which they see each day. I have thought on how to improve myself on the points stated by myself, by my mother and my teammates. At times I self doubt myself a lot and also I do not analyse things properly, so I have started giving more time to myself to improve upon it." 

SILPA SUMAN PATI asserts, "I got it done by three of my team mates, one from my younger brother and one I filled by myself. And I must say I felt like I visioned another side of myself because when I matched the answers that I got by others, I really came across a lot about my good and about some personality traits which I have to improvise. Most of them said I am good as a person and my brother especially said that the one personality trait that I have to work more upon i.e. I have to be stronger rather than being emotional and should build up trust in myself. My team mates said that I am patient and have good interpersonal skills...The thing which I feel I really have to work upon is being patient because sometimes being in a rush I tend to lose my patience. And I have to be confident enough to overcome any obstacle in my life rather than being emotional and losing confidence in myself." 

According to KOMAL SOLANKI, "This 360 degree feedback that I received from people, it includes me, my mother, my close friend and my team mates. For me, the feedback strongly focused on how I should improve on being ASSERTIVE and include that in communicating in a healthy way. This is something which I am already aware of, (of what I lack) and I've been working on it for quite some time...This feedback form felt like it was specially designed for me, and I am GLAD that I got to have such remarks about myself. Because I used to believe that this is just my opinion but now since i got a similar response from few people, I believe I can improve and I must! Things I need to work on after getting a feedback from the people - Being patient with others and their opinions - Anger management - Identifying red flags of people. All the qualities mentioned, are essential to be a good leader and have helped me in becoming one." 

To conclude, here is what KHYATI VERMA has to share, "I found this kind of revelation is very interesting. I received my feedback from 5 people in total including my father, three of my teammates and myself. I got to know many things as such I should really keep control on my emotions which I totally agree to. I should not let somebody have the leash of controlling me due to my emotions. Also that I tend to be a short tempered person and I will definitely try to improve that. Plus, I need to be a little more punctual that I will definitely improve. This activity helped me find my short comings and what people think about me and I will try to improve for sure." 

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I personally think, the inputs from these young minds are truly wonderful, and teach us quite insightful lessons on leadership. 

Next time, when you hear anything wonderful from your learners, do feel free to share with the world; because, 

In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.

- Greg Enriquez 

note: All the above-mentioned learners are presently pursuing Bachelors in Clinical Research, Microbiology, Food technology, Food Nutrition and Dietetics from UPES (University Of Petroleum And Energy Studies).

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What I Learnt from My Learners (Part II)

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn."

What I Learnt from My Learners (Part II)

As a trainer cum teacher, it's always a pleasure to come across exciting ideas and insightful thoughts that my learners share during classroom discussions. Recently, we had an amazing discussion over 'Being a Player or Being a Victim', and here in this series of 'What I Learnt from My Learners', I'm featuring some of the brilliant responses. Enjoy the read!

As a trainer cum teacher, it's always a pleasure to come across exciting ideas and insightful thoughts that my learners share during classroom discussions. 

I usually take this as an opportunity to know their perspectives, and learn from them too. Being a life skills coach, it's great to train my learners for 21st century life skills. 

One most crucial life skill is 'Leadership' that has been constantly ranked as One of Top 10 Skills of 2025 by World Economic Forum. 

Recently, I had an amazing discussion over 'Locus of Control' as one of the major components of 'Leadership Toolbox'. This concept was developed by Julian B. Rotter in 1954, and has since become an aspect of Personality Psychology. 

This concept is usually divided into two categories: internal and external. If a person has an internal locus of control, that person attributes success to his or her own efforts and abilities. 

A person with an external locus of control, who attributes his or her success to luck or fate, will be less likely to make the effort needed to learn. 

Here in this series of 'What I Learnt from My Learners', I am featuring some of the brilliant responses by my amazing young learners. Enjoy the read!

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Talking about being a player or a victim, Nandini Asthana shares her honest confession, "I can't say straight if I'm player or a victim; and also can't choose because it depends on the situation, sometimes I stand alone and think out of the box. That time maybe I'm a player and sometimes I do things what others are doing whether they are wrong or right, so here maybe I'm a victim." 

Jahnvi Singh confidently remarks, "My life has taught me quite a lot till now and all the hurdles that I faced, have only made me stronger and more aware about people and the society alike. I was always a curious child and always raised questions for stuff that I just didn't get. I feel I'm 75% player and 25% victim and I think it's is a good number at this stage of my life, and I know there's scope for improvement and I am definitely up for it." 

Manasvi Mudgal asserts, "My attitude towards life has always been to look at the bright side of the things and stay motivated and positive as a person. I think I’m a Player, not a Victim. I believe that whatever happens, happens for good only..." 

According to Dipasha Gautam, "Life is a game, all you have to know is to how to play it. Well, I have felt like a victim at times, but I’ve been a player too. Thinking back now, I have apologized to my mother upon breaking a vase saying, 'I broke the vase by mistake.' which may look like I took the responsibility for my actions completely but I didn't. The truth was that I broke the vase by my carelessness although it was still unintentional and a mistake. I want to start building up my mindset as a player and start taking control over things that are in my grasp."

Diksha Jain mentions with a sense of conviction, "I believe that sometimes there are situations which make us victim and we can't do anything as they are beyond our control. A person is not a player all the time. I think at times I am a player, and at times I am a victim. I know there is a great scope of improvement and I am working on it. I am ready to take all the challenges for my improvement."

Vagisha Khandelwal has something interesting to share. She says, "The word ATTITUDE itself tells us: Active Teens Taking Initiative To Understand Driving Experiences. To be very honest, I am a positive mindset person, but by seeing some situations, I sometimes think negative. I never quit easily; I try to complete my work until the end and always try to think of something new and creative. Most of the time, I am a player because I understand my responsibilities, and perform my duties." 

To conclude, here is what Ritika Srivastav has to share, "I have played the role of a victim in early years of my life. Later, I changed my way of thinking and started having a more positive outlook towards life. Today, I understand the value of responsibility and I believe I have become a player now." 

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I personally think, the inputs from these young minds are truly wonderful, and teach us quite insightful lessons on leadership. 

Next time, when you hear anything wonderful from your learners, do feel free to share with the world; because, 

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn."

- Greg Enriquez 

note: All the above-mentioned learners are presently pursuing Bachelors in Journalism & Mass Communication, and Bachelors in Digital and Mass Media, from UPES (University Of Petroleum And Energy Studies).

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