Learn from Leaders Series

Learn from Leaders Lecture Series on Art of Listening
Date: 08 August 2025
The Department of Social Work, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be) University, successfully conducted the fourth session of its flagship Learn from Leaders series on the theme “Art of Listening” on 08 August 2025. The session aimed to deepen the understanding of active listening as a core professional skill among II MSW students, essential for building meaningful client relationships and enhancing communication in social work practice.

The resource person for the session was Dr. Sivasubramanian K, Head, Department of Economics, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be) University. Through his dynamic and engaging facilitation, Dr. Sivasubramanian emphasized the importance of listening not merely as a passive activity but as a powerful tool for empathy, clarity, and connection.

A key aspect of the session was the series of interactive activities introduced by the speaker, which involved alphabetical and numerical exercises designed to sharpen concentration, responsiveness, and attentiveness. This fun yet thought-provoking activities helped students reflect on their own listening patterns and recognize the barriers that can hinder effective communication. The session stood out for its high level of student engagement, prompting reflections on how active listening could lead to stronger interpersonal relationships, better conflict resolution, and improved service delivery in the field of social work.

The session served as a compelling reminder that listening is not simply about hearing words but about being fully present with others. It highlighted the need for social work professionals to cultivate patience, focus, and openness qualities that lie at the heart of truly transformative practice. The Department of Social Work continues its commitment to nurturing emotionally intelligent, socially responsive leaders who bring insight and intention into every interaction.

Session on Strategic Management
Date: 01 August 2025
The Department of Social Work at Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be) University, Bengaluru, organized a Learn from Leaders Series for II Year MSW students on 1st August 2025. The session focused on the topic “Strategic Management” and was facilitated by Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous). The objective of the session was to provide students with a deeper understanding of strategic planning, decision-making, and leadership principles relevant to social work practice and organizational development.

Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman then began the session with an insightful introduction to the foundational concepts of strategic management, explaining its relevance in the social work sector. She highlighted the importance of vision-driven planning, goal setting, and aligning strategies with the organization’s mission. Dr. Sruthi also discussed strategic tools such as SWOT Analysis, showing students how these tools could be used to assess internal capabilities and external challenges in their fieldwork and practice.

An engaging activity during the session involved Dr. Sruthi encouraging students to create their own personal taglines that reflected their individual vision or professional goals as future social workers. Each student was invited to write their tagline on the board, which sparked thoughtful engagement and gave students an opportunity to connect their personal values to their professional aspirations. This activity added a reflective dimension to the session and reinforced the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals.

The session also encouraged students to reflect on their fieldwork experiences and think critically about how strategic planning can enhance social work interventions and community programs. Dr. Sruthi emphasized the importance of being proactive and anticipatory in leadership roles, rather than just reacting to challenges as they arise.

A key theme of the session was leadership and its role in shaping organizational strategies for sustainable social change. Dr. Sruthi stressed that social workers must not only manage day-to-day operations but also take on leadership roles to drive positive change within the organizations and communities they serve. She emphasized ethical, collaborative, and evidence-based approaches to leadership and decision-making, providing students with practical strategies to apply in their professional practice.

Overall, the session was not only intellectually enriching but also a strong reminder of the importance of strategic thinking in social work. It encouraged students to move beyond routine practice and embrace their role as ethical and visionary leaders. The session reinforced the responsibility of future social workers to plan effectively, lead with clarity, and contribute to sustainable social change through informed strategies.

Learn From Leaders Series on Winning Habits For A Successful Career
Date: 25 July 2025
The Department of Social Work successfully hosted the second session of its flagship Learn from Leaders series on the theme “Winning Habits for a Successful Career” on 25 July 2025 from 2:40pm to 3:30pm. The session was designed to offer professional insights and career guidance to II MSW students through an inspiring talk delivered by Dr. D Joseph Charles Tamilmaran, a distinguished academician and speaker.

Dr. Tamilmaran presented the SHIFT Strategy, an acronym that stands for Self-Discipline, Hunger for Learning, Integrity, Focus, and Team Spirit—five essential habits for building a successful and meaningful career. Through compelling stories and real-life examples, he emphasized how these values, when consistently practiced, contribute to long-term success. He particularly highlighted the importance of integrity and collaboration in the field of social work, where ethical practice and teamwork are crucial.

The session was highly interactive, with students engaging in meaningful dialogue and gaining practical insights into how they could apply these winning habits in real-world settings. The session served as a powerful reminder that success is not accidental but a result of intentional effort, value-based leadership, and continuous personal growth.

The Department of Social Work remains committed to nurturing future social work professionals by providing platforms that blend academic rigor with experiential learning and leadership development.

Learn from Leaders Series on “High Stake Leadership: Strategies for Success”
Date: 18 July 2025
The Department of Social Work, Kristu Jayanti Deemed to be University, organized an insightful session on “High Stake Leadership: Strategies for Success” as part of its Learn from Leaders series for the second-year MSW students. The session was conducted by the resource person Dr. Baba Ganakumar, Professor and Director of Centre for Research and Consultancy, School of Management, Kristu Jayanti Deemed to be University.

The objective of the session was to equip potential social work professionals with practical leadership strategies to navigate high-pressure situations and excel in their future roles as managers, leaders, and change agents.

Dr. Baba Ganakumar, with his vast experience in research, administration, and consultancy, shared valuable perspectives on the critical qualities of high-stake leaders, such as decision-making under pressure, ethical governance, effective communication, and adaptability to change. He emphasized that true leadership is tested in challenging circumstances where stakes are high and outcomes have wide-reaching impacts.

The session covered key strategies such as risk assessment and mitigation, stakeholder management, building resilient teams, and maintaining personal integrity and organizational transparency. Real-life examples from corporate, government, and social sectors were shared to help students relate theoretical principles to practical scenarios.

An interactive discussion enabled students to ask questions about leadership dilemmas they might face in community settings, NGOs, or administrative roles. Dr. Ganakumar encouraged students to develop critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and a proactive mindset to tackle complex social issues with confidence and competence.

The session concluded with a note of appreciation by the student coordinator, who thanked Dr. Baba Ganakumar for his valuable insights and motivating words. The students expressed that the session inspired them to adopt a strategic approach to leadership and reinforced their commitment to responsible and impactful social work practice.