FOR STUDENTS preparing to step into leadership roles, this approach
requires more than familiarity with tools. It demands a deeper understanding
of human behavior, context, and intent. By integrating creative
problem-solving with human-centered design principles, Design Thinking
equips students to become agile, empathetic, and innovative leaders in
an increasingly uncertain world.
When we consider the transformation of students into future leaders,
leadership development must go beyond conventional academic achievement.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reflects this thinking
by emphasizing holistic development such as foundational literacy and
numeracy, inclusivity, multilingualism, skill development, collaboration,
and character building. The goal is not merely employability, but the
development of well-rounded individuals with strong values and 21stcentury
capabilities.
Holistic development emerges when students learn to observe, reflect,
and think without constraints. This raises an important question: what are
these constraints, and how can education help students overcome them?
THE MIND AS AN OPEN PARACHUTE
As students’ progress through formal education, their learning
journey often resembles a pyramid viz. broad exposure
in early years, followed by increasing specialisation. While
this approach builds expertise, it can also narrow perspective.
Leadership, however, demands the opposite: breadth
before depth, openness before specialisation. An “open
parachute” mindset allows students to explore, question,
and connect across domains.
A multidisciplinary education exposes students to science,
arts, mathematics, literature, history, sports, and
philosophy, enabling them to see relationships between
seemingly unrelated fields. Questions such as “How does
philosophy influence politics?” or “Can mathematics
improve performance in sports?” nurture curiosity
and systems thinking. This ability to connect the
dots is critical for leadership and innovation.
As the adage goes, the human mind works best
when it is open.
Higher education ideally supports a
journey from acquiring basic skills to
achieving mastery, while also developing
the ability to see the
bigger picture. History shows that
many breakthroughs and innovations
have emerged when
individuals were able to
combine insights from
different domains. Leadership,
therefore, is not just
about expertise, but about
insight.
DESIGN THE THINKING® OF
FUTURE LEADERS
The most significant shift from
student to leader occurs when individuals
begin to ask “why” before
“what” or “how.” While education trains
students to think logically and analytically,
it does not always teach them how
to think effectively in uncertain, humancentered
situations. This gap is addressed
through what the School of Design Thinking
calls Design The Thinking®.
Five internal frictional elements often
limit students’ effectiveness as future
leaders: unresolved doubts, unaddressed
conflicts, anger, fear of the unknown, and
ego. Managing these forces is essential.
Doubt can delay action; clarity, even if
imperfect, enables progress. Conflict can
be reframed as a difference in perspective.
Effective leaders focus on what is right
rather than who is right.
Higher education
ideally supports
a journey from
acquiring basic
skills to achieving
mastery, while
also developing
perspective – the
ability to see the
bigger picture.
Anger frequently arises when outcomes
do not meet expectations. Fear stems from
unfamiliarity, growth requires courage
and action, not passive observation. Ego,
the belief that one already knows enough,
is perhaps the greatest barrier to learning.
Humility, openness, and a willingness to
listen are hallmarks of strong leadership.
ENCOURAGING LIMITLESS THINKING
The Sanskrit word Unmukt, meaning
“without boundaries,” beautifully
captures the mindset required of leaders.
Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurthy
observed that a living mind is free, learning,
and never concluding. Leadership
demands the courage to question assumptions,
challenge established practices,
and rethink long-held beliefs.
Equally important is the ability
to see the big picture. As students
specialize, they risk losing sight of
interconnectedness. Leaders must
continuously zoom out, recognizing
how systems, disciplines, and contexts
influence one another. Design Thinking
provides a structured yet flexible
approach to cultivate this perspective.
CONCLUSION
The journey from student to leader
begins with shaping how one thinks.
Design The Thinking® – cultivating
an open, curious, courageous, and reflective
mindset – is foundational to
effective leadership. When practiced
as a mindset rather than a method, Design
Thinking empowers students to
question deeply, connect broadly, and
act responsibly. These capabilities are
vital for leading with purpose and creating
meaningful impact in the world
ahead.