"If you don't drive the change, you will be driven by the change and you will be changed completely."
This powerful statement from Dr. Pramod Mahajan isn’t just a leadership mantra; it’s the lived reality of a true educational innovator. It perfectly captures the essence of his conversation on the latest episode of Suraasa’s Inspiring Educators, the podcast dedicated to sharing the raw, honest stories of leaders who are shaping the future of learning.
Hosted by Rishabh Khanna, the founder and CEO of Suraasa, this episode features a deeply insightful discussion with Dr. Pramod Mahajan, the Director-Principal of Sharjah Indian School, one of the oldest and largest schools in the Gulf region.
From his beginnings in a small rural village in India to becoming a key figure in shaping private education policy in the UAE, his story is filled with invaluable lessons on staying relevant and leading with courage.
In this blog, we'll explore the key takeaways from his remarkable story: his secret to hiring over 100 future-ready teachers a year, his profound redefinition of the "generation gap" in education, and his core philosophy that true growth only comes from having the courage to make new mistakes.
"A person who is strong in the basic can be coached, can be trained, or that person will get trained themselves."
Dr. Mahajan needs to hire over 100 teachers a year. To do this effectively, he looks past the resume and focuses on three core traits that define a truly future-ready educator. He uncovers them with a few simple, yet incredibly revealing, questions.
- First, He Looks for Resilience, Not Perfection
Instead of asking candidates to share a list of accomplishments, Dr. Mahajan asks them to share a story of failure.
He believes a career without mistakes is a career lived safely in a comfort zone. But the real test isn't the failure itself—it's the recovery. This single story reveals a person's resilience, their ability to learn under pressure, and their commitment to growth rather than giving up.
- Next, He Tests for a Growth Mindset
He then asks a critical question: "Are your qualifications still relevant today?"
This isn't a test of confidence; it's a test of humility. The best educators know their degree is a starting point, not a final trophy. A candidate who can thoughtfully discuss how they keep their skills current demonstrates a growth mindset. They demonstrate that they are lifelong learners, not individuals who believe their learning is complete.
- Finally, He Prioritizes Strong Fundamentals Over Passing Trends
In an era of constant change, Dr. Mahajan’s final focus is on the basics.
He believes that educational trends come and go, but a deep mastery of core principles is timeless. A teacher with a strong foundation can adapt to any new technology or curriculum with ease because they understand the "why" behind the "what." This makes them a reliable, innovative, and invaluable asset for the long term.
Learn Dr. Mahajan’s secrets to hiring future-ready teachers. Watch the full Inspiring Educators podcast on YouTube for practical leadership insights.
"The generation gap is not 10 years experience or 15 years experience or this age or that age... It is about which generation your thought process is stuck in."
We often picture the generation gap in schools as a clash between experienced veterans and young teachers who are adept with digital tools. Dr. Mahajan challenges this idea completely. He argues the real gap isn't one of age, but of mindset.
It’s not about how old you are; it’s about how open you are to growth.
- A teacher with an "old generation" mindset might be young, but they are rigid, resistant to new ideas, and believe their way is the only way.
- A teacher with a "latest generation" mindset might have decades of experience but remains curious, adaptive, and eager to experiment with new methods.
Dr. Mahajan shared a powerful story to illustrate this point: a Malayalam teacher with 34 years of experience became the first in her school to create and run online assessments. She didn't just keep up with modern practices; she led the way, outpacing many younger colleagues.
"You have every right to commit the blunder, but no right at all to repeat the same blunder. If you are doing the new blunder, trust me, it's worth it."
In a profession where we often teach students to avoid errors, Dr. Mahajan offers a radical perspective: true growth is powered by making mistakes. He believes that the fear of failure is the single greatest obstacle preventing good educators from becoming great ones.
However, he draws a sharp line between productive failure and pointless repetition.
- Repeating the same mistake for ten years isn't a decade of experience—it's one year of experience repeated ten times. This is a sign of stagnation.
- Making a new mistake, on the other hand, is a clear sign of progress. It proves you are stepping out of your comfort zone, applying your knowledge in new ways, and genuinely learning from the outcomes.
This philosophy is the engine that drives a "latest generation" mindset. It's not about being flawless; it's about being fearless enough to try, fail, and learn. Dr. Mahajan's call to action for every teacher is to embrace this cycle by consistently pushing their own boundaries.
"Explore the technology instead of becoming the techno-addict. Embrace the machine instead of becoming the machine."
Dr. Mahajan’s final message is a powerful call for balance in the modern era. He urges educators to master new tools without losing the essential, irreplaceable human element of their profession.
His parting advice is a clear and direct roadmap for staying relevant and inspired:
- Use Technology, Don't Be Used by It: He encourages teachers to see technology as a sophisticated tool to enhance their teaching, not as a replacement for their own critical thinking and originality.
- Build on a Strong Foundation: He reminds us that the basics are the launchpad for all future growth. A strong core allows you to "jump so high that even the sky is not the limit," adapting to any change with confidence.
The journey of an inspiring educator, as Dr. Mahajan sees it, is not about having a perfect record. It's about having the courage to drive change, the humility to keep learning, and the wisdom to know that our greatest lessons often come from our bravest mistakes.
