Today is Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam‘s birth anniversary.
We remember him as a brilliant scientist, the President of India, and the Missile Man. But there’s something about him that I particularly admire…
Despite everything he achieved, Kalam wanted to be remembered as a good teacher.
Think about that for a moment. Here was someone who had made enormous contributions to India’s scientific and technological progress, held the highest constitutional office in the country, and earned the admiration of millions. Yet, he continued to make time for young people… listening to their questions, encouraging them to dream big, and urging them to think about what they could do with their lives.
We tend to measure leadership by what we achieve… the targets we meet, the decisions we make, the businesses we build, or the positions we reach. And yes, all of that matters.
But what about the people we work with? Did we help someone discover a strength they didn’t know they had? Give someone the confidence to take on a challenge they’d been hesitant about? Help someone see possibilities they hadn’t considered before?
These things may never show up in a performance review or make it onto our list of achievements. But they can change how people see themselves, what they believe they can do, and the choices they make long after they’ve moved on from us.
Thank you, Dr. Kalam, for all that you taught us… and for reminding us that one of the greatest things we can do is help others believe in themselves. Your life and your work will continue to inspire generations to come.
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