A Whirlwind Morning
Mr Hobs burst out of his front door like a gust of wind on a stormy morning. A steaming mug of coffee sloshed dangerously in one hand, while his other hand juggled his bag and car keys. “Not today,” he muttered to himself. “Not the day to be late.” But life, as usual, seemed to have other plans. The traffic was slower than a snail at a tea party, and by the time he screeched into the school parking lot, he was already five minutes behind schedule.
As he entered the school gates, chaos greeted him. Students stood in a haphazard line, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. Some were whispering, others were giggling, and a few were clearly on the brink of launching into a game of tag. Mr Hobs’ eyes darted around for Ms Kim, the teacher in charge of morning duty, but she was nowhere to be found. Apparently, she had also fallen victim to the lateness curse.
With a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul, Mr Hobs jumped into action, directing students and trying to restore order. It felt like herding cats. By the time the last child was where they were supposed to be, he realised he had mere seconds to reach the first staff meeting. Sprinting to the conference room, he slid into his chair just as the team turned to him expectantly.
“Right, so… um… what’s the agenda again?” he stammered, trying to look composed while also frantically flipping through a notebook that contained zero useful information. The room was silent for a moment before someone cleared their throat and hesitantly brought up the topic. The meeting dragged on, mirroring the disorganised start to the day.
As Mr Hobs sat there, clutching his now-cold coffee, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the chaos of the morning wasn’t just bad luck. It was a reflection of something deeper—something a little closer to home.
Tension into Teamwork
Across town, Ms Hana sat in the staffroom, waiting for her team to join the meeting. She studied the agenda in front of her, carefully highlighting the areas that needed more attention. Her mind sifted through the challenges that had surfaced in the previous week—delayed submissions, overlapping responsibilities, and a few moments of miscommunication. She also made mental notes about the upcoming tasks that required the team’s collective focus and effort.
As the meeting began, discussions flowed smoothly until a seemingly innocent question about upcoming deadlines caused a noticeable ripple of panic among the teachers. Voices overlapped, hands shuffled through papers, and the room began to feel heavy with unease.
What started as concern quickly began to snowball into a subtle blame game. “I thought you were handling that,” one teacher muttered, while another defended, “No one informed me about the change in dates.” The tension in the room rose as quiet frustrations surfaced, threatening to derail the conversation entirely.
But Ms Hana didn’t flinch. She leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing on her lips. “One thing at a time,” she said softly, her voice like a warm breeze cutting through the tension. “Let’s figure this out together.”
Her calm, reassuring tone acted like a reset button, diffusing the defensiveness and redirecting everyone’s focus. Ms Hana had a way of sensing the unsaid emotions in the room—the frustration, the worry, and even the exhaustion her team was feeling. With that understanding, she subtly guided the group to shift from blame to collaboration.
“We’re a team,” she continued gently, “and we’ll always find a way through together. Let’s make sure everyone feels supported.” Her words encouraged respectful communication, and the teachers quickly caught on to her energy. The overlapping chatter faded into organised problem-solving. Within minutes, the flustered chaos had been replaced by a focused team, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
Later that day, she sat down with individual team members to check in. Without hesitation, she adjusted workloads, rallied support, and listened empathetically. Her ability to adapt created a ripple effect of empathy and understanding, leaving her team not only reassured but also motivated.
Leaders in Each Case
The two situations paint strikingly different pictures of leadership and its impact on an organisation. Mr Hobs, with his chaotic energy and lack of preparation, unknowingly set the tone for his team. His rushed morning and disorganised start filtered down to his staff, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and inefficiency.
It wasn’t just the lateness that caused ripples—it was the lack of clarity and intention in his actions. His team mirrored his scattered mindset, leaving them unprepared to face the day’s challenges. This domino effect not only stalled productivity but also undermined the sense of direction and confidence his team needed to thrive.
In contrast, Ms Hana exemplified the power of intentional leadership. Her composed demeanour and thoughtful preparation created an atmosphere of calm and focus. From the moment she reviewed the agenda and reflected on the previous week’s challenges, she displayed a sense of accountability and forward-thinking.
During the meeting, when chaos threatened to take over, she became the anchor that kept her team grounded. Instead of reacting impulsively to the rising tension, Ms Hana projected a steady presence, which her team naturally emulated.
What set Ms Hana apart wasn’t just her calmness but her ability to empathise and address underlying issues. She didn’t stop at solving immediate concerns; she took the time to understand her team’s struggles on a deeper level. By fostering an environment of trust and open communication, she encouraged her team to voice their needs without fear of judgment.
Her approach turned a moment of potential conflict into an opportunity for growth and collaboration, reinforcing a culture of confidence, resilience, and mutual respect.
The Ripple Effect
Leadership is contagious. Its influence flows through every level of the organisation, subtly internalised and reflected in the actions of all. If a leader is frazzled, the team becomes frazzled. If a leader is calm, the team mirrors that composure.
A leader’s behaviour sets the tone for everything: the way decisions are made, how challenges are approached, and even how individuals interact with one another. The energy a leader brings into a room is quietly absorbed by those around them.
When a leader radiates confidence and clarity, it creates a ripple effect of trust and assurance, empowering teams to perform at their best. On the other hand, when a leader is disorganised or emotionally volatile, it erodes morale, fosters confusion, and breeds inefficiency.
What makes leadership truly powerful is its ability to inspire—not just through words, but through consistent actions. A composed leader creates an environment where stress is managed constructively, and mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn rather than moments to assign blame.
The Mirror Never Lies
An organisation is a reflection of its leader, mirroring not just their vision and goals, but the very essence of their character. A leader who embodies composure, empathy, and integrity fosters a team that thrives on those same principles.
When you walk into a room, are you met with confidence and collaboration, or is there a palpable sense of confusion and disarray? Leadership isn’t just about giving directions or setting tasks—it’s about establishing the emotional and behavioural atmosphere that shapes how everyone in the organisation interacts and performs.
The next time you feel frustration bubbling up or see your team struggling, take a moment to look in the mirror. Ask yourself, “What am I reflecting?” Are you demonstrating the traits you want to see in your team?
As a leader, your actions have a profound impact. Every word, every decision, and every response sets the tone for your organisation. The energy you bring, the way you handle pressure, and the way you communicate all ripple outward, shaping the environment in which your team operates.
Leadership is not about perfection or always having the answers. It’s about consistency, empathy, and awareness. It’s about being intentional in how you show up for your team—not just in the big moments, but in the small, everyday interactions that shape the organisation’s character.
Leadership is a mirror—and the reflection will show not only the leader you are but the team you inspire and the culture you create.
Sabahath Fatima
Head of Research and Development
Editor-in-Chief, EduQuest Journal
Mimber Academy
