In every society, three figures stand out as the most influential in shaping lives: teachers, parents, and leaders. Their impact is profound, yet often misunderstood. These three shape our social and organisational culture, character and direction.
Teachers, whether in classrooms, pulpits, or lecture halls, hold the responsibility of nurturing minds. Parents, entrusted with the gift of children, must guide them with wisdom and purpose. Leaders come as managers, coaches, mentors, advisors, and influencers, carrying the duty of enabling individuals to thrive within organisations and communities.
Howard Gardner, in his book Frames of Mind, introduced the concept of Multiple Intelligences. He argued that human intelligence is not singular but diverse, encompassing linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, naturalistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal dimensions.
Yet too often, society ignores these differences. We push children into careers that do not align with their natural abilities, metaphorically asking a fish to climb a tree. The result is wasted time, suppressed talent, and lost potential.
Parents must recognise that their role is not to impose careers but to nurture character and purpose. As a coach, I have met countless students pursuing degrees chosen by their parents rather than their own passions. One student admitted they were studying only to please their parents, planning to follow their true calling afterwards. Such stories highlight the urgent need to rethink our approach.
Leaders, too, must understand their teams. Effective leadership is not about dictating solutions but about placing people where they fit best, encouraging them to think, innovate, and contribute. A true leader enables individuals to excel personally while advancing organisational goals.
Teachers, likewise, should inspire rather than force-feed information. Their mission is not merely to produce good grades but to cultivate individuals who will make meaningful contributions to society. I am thankful to all my teachers throughout my academic journey. However, there were some teachers who nearly ruined my life. They forced content into me that I will never use. Some of the content was outdated; whereas part of it was a waste of time as it did not contribute towards my purpose.
Finally, each individual must take responsibility for self-discovery. If the parent, teacher and leaders fail you, you must not fail yourself. You are the driver of your car, the architect of your destiny, the captain of your ship. Too many people spend their energy learning about celebrities and public figures while neglecting the most important person; themselves. Within each of us lies untapped wealth: a song, a book, a business idea capable of changing the world.
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Gardner’s Frames of Mind is not an easy read, but it is essential. For teachers, parents, and leaders alike, it offers a framework to understand human potential and to nurture it wisely.
The challenge before us is clear: stop suppressing strengths, and start cultivating them. Only then can we raise a generation that is purposeful, productive, and prepared to transform the world.
Jonah Nyoni is a Leadership Trainer and the author of the book A Call to Leadership Agility. X: @jonahnyoni. WhatsApp: +263 772 581 918
