TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AT LOTUS PETAL FOUNDATION

“Be the Change you wish to see in the world.” - M.K Gandhi

In 2016, I transitioned from a successful corporate career to fully commit to the Lotus Petal Foundation, driven by my passion for supporting and uplifting underprivileged children through education. This journey of personal transformation was one of the many reasons through which I was able to find fulfillment, joy, and liberation on an individual level. Perhaps an individual’s thirst for finding freedom through acts of selfless joy is what adds an additional layer of meaning to the nonprofit sector. Therefore, it becomes imperative to understand what this transformation means, and how is it translated into actions at Lotus Petal Foundation?

 “Transformation” is the DNA of Lotus Petal Foundation. It is embedded in all our programs and initiatives but most importantly it is the invisible essence which drives the visible impact. At Lotus Petal Foundation, transformation is led by leaders who transform and get transformed throughout their journey. Apart from following the basic tenets of transformational leadership, the uniqueness of the leadership comes from inspiring transformation - in the lives of all the stakeholders - children, our supporters (valued donors), the Changemakers (employees) and leaders. In our organization, inner transformation and external transformation go hand-in-hand. Indeed transformation is an ongoing journey, but for us it also needs to align with the organizational vision.

 Capturing the tenets of transformational leadership at Lotus Petal Foundation :

1.  Inner Focus: Leadership involves introspection, acknowledging flaws, and striving for improvement. We see mistakes as an indispensable part of our journey. By stressing on inner work and intuition we identify the root cause of our problems. Adopting an open-minded approach by staying true to our core, we consistently inquire what are the changes we should bring about in ourselves to be able to deliver better towards a child? These components serve as a guiding light, preventing us from making the same mistakes. Simultaneously, acknowledging and letting go are crucial, particularly in situations where collaborations diverge, students dropout due to external factors, and changemakers depart to fulfill personal obligations. While our hearts bleed, these situations compel us to pause and introspect, derive strength, energize and renew our commitment to the vision. These instances are a bittersweet reminder that sometimes divergence is the most meaningful path for all those involved.
2. Risk Appetite: Lotus Petal Foundation invests in its employees by providing them with opportunities of growth and development within the organization. The organization actively promotes the transition of Changemakers into various leadership roles and prepares them accordingly. Our organization is constantly on the lookout for Changemakers who wish to continuously learn and expand their skill set. Identifying potential is a process that we have come to realize, is independent of the readiness of the employee, but it's also based on intuitive risk, taking chances on people and believing in their abilities.From the perspective of the individuals who are in the phase of stepping into bigger/different shoes, they often come to see themselves as multifaceted individuals, capable of taking risks to develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to the organization.
3. Core purpose: The child is the heart and soul of Lotus Petal Foundation guiding all our actions, policies and frameworks. As education is key to the transformation of a child, our framework imbibing socio-emotional learning pedagogical approach and academic planning prioritizes developing the unique strengths of the child. We support and encourage their dreams and implement interventions for their holistic growth such as- providing hot nutritional meals and organizing exposure visits. Akanksha[1], a first-generation learner from a disadvantaged background, faced setbacks in clearing the NEET exam in her first attempt. With counseling and support from Lotus Petal Foundation, she is now set to graduate with a BDS degree in 2024. Her journey combines external and internal transformation, as she shapes her dreams into reality. We witnessed her grow from a small child, who had difficulty in learning to a confident young woman spreading her wings into the world of dentists!
4. Communication: Effective Communication is essential for supporting the smooth functioning of various departments within the organization. We view having difficult conversations with Changemakers and supporters, providing a safe space for voicing opinions, and having an open-mind as hallmarks of effective communication. We believe that open-communication thrives in a non-judgemental environment, thereby promoting transparency within the organization. Having tough conversations with Changemakers is vital for reinforcing accountability and commitment to our vision. We approach these discussions with a supportive mindset, asking- “What can we do to make this work?”  Transparency, constructive feedback, and finding a common ground are the keys to making things work.
5. Self Development: The leadership at our organization supports the individual development of Changemakers. They are motivated to engage in open-minded conversations, participate in active listening and collaborate with their peers. We ensure that all of our Changemakers are heard, seen and valued. One impactful moment was when a housekeeping staff shared how Lotus Petal Foundation represented her transformative journey in discovering her identity. From being seen as dispensable in her everyday life to a valuable contributor as Lotus Petal Foundation’s employee, she asserted her unique identity as a proud worker and individual.
6. No Pain, no Growth: All our Changemakers are encouraged to befriend discomfort. By exposing themselves to the harsh social realities of the children, the Changemakers become more aware, sensitive and equipped to deal with challenging situations. It is very important that they sit with discomfort to unlearn years of conditioning and prejudices to absorb new learnings. Throughout this process, an individual will often feel frustration, anger and disappointment but it's important to observe patience. This  also extends to the idea that to witness real growth of children at our organization, we need to wait for years to see that happen. As pain and discomfort become friends on your transformative journey, it is important to remind yourself to show the same compassion as you extend to others.  
7. Authentic Transparency: We prioritize creating a nurturing environment for the growth and development of children through consistency and transparency in our conduct and actions. Discipline is essential, as children emulate adults. For us, consistency includes providing timely meals, adhering to the academic calendar, and honoring timelines. In addition to this, we maintain transparency in all our internal processes by underlining that being honest to “oneself” can bring honesty to work. Our decision-making process stresses being transparent about our failures, successes, mistakes and learnings. This disciplined approach ensures the integrity of our impact.

As we bring this piece to an end, it is pertinent to note that planning our various actions to execute our vision is crucial to Lotus Petal Foundation’s leadership and success. The next segment will explore the role of strategic planning and its importance at Lotus Petal Foundation. 

[1] We have used dummy names in the article to protect the identity of the individuals. The events being referred to in the article are based on true incidents.