#RoleModelTalks – Valuable Lessons From Smita Vats About Organic Scaling Of Organisations
I have known Smita Vats for a couple of years now and every time I meet her she has an interesting story to share. Right from why South and North-Indian style of writing differ to why Wuzu is performed in a certain manner. She is the founder of ITHIHAAS, and has been the flag bearer of heritage as knowledge capital movement for over 15 years. She begs to differ whenever anyone considers heritage to be the same as history!
This is the second of a series of articles I’m going to write before I point out 10 strong reasons why social entrepreneurship is failing in India!
From Heritage Walks To Heritage Learning
ITIHAAS (Indian Traditions and Heritage Society) conducts interactive theme-based study tours in places of historical importance in Delhi, Lucknow, Gwalior, Bhopal and Jaipur to name a few places. Partner schools have now included these experiences as part of their curriculum and are followed by intense worksheets developed around the theme!
I was part of ITHIHAAS’s annual program- Anveshan last year and my admiration for Smita Vats, who claims to be a digital illiterate, has shot up ever since! Imagine 300 schools participating with their children choir, creating new lyrics on the theme, researching about given topic to compose music, performing as a rock band- what a phenomenal opportunity for students to unlock many capabilities and explore hidden strengths.
A One-On-One Mentoring Session With Smita Vats
Smita’s thoughts, words and actions make her an inspiring role model. So when, Akanksha, the founder of Tarkeybein, was looking for advice on scaling up, Smita Vats was the first name that popped up in my mind!
Starting from 5 heritage walks to 53 now and mentoring and producing heritage heroes, to working with HH Dalai Lama on secular ethics module and touching close to 1000 schools with fascinating heritage modules- Smita has surely come a long way!
Takeaway Corner
Here are my key learnings on Smita’s session with Team Tarkeybein. It’s my wish that you also find some guidance and direction from these gems, just as Team Tarkeybein and I did! 🙂
- Having a Board of Advisors helps, even if it is a single board member!
- Distance yourself from clients and speak your language – be clear with your offering, values and ideas!
- Get onto the field and engage with actual work – research can only support your thoughts, but ear on the ground will give you the real insight.
- Share impact stories- smaller the story, more its significance!
- Stick to the idea and stick with the madness. You can institutionalise later.
- Move your offering from being consumer-centric (like in my case-Heritage Walk) to giving (Heritage Learning- ITIHAAS Learning Modules)
- There is no harm in trying; go in all directions to make your idea work!
- Build non-threat model for system, teachers and stakeholders.
- Pick your battles and intervention
- “Idea ka chaar aana, kaam ka do aana” – Even Gandhiji used to charge 10 aana for his autographs!
- Always communicate what you truly believe in!
Would you like to discuss further about this? If you are an entrepreneur/young organisation/about to start-up, and want to meet institutions who many see as a role model, do reach out to me at jaideep@knowyourstar.com. I’ll be happy to connect you to the right folks and you can return the favour by-
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Enjoyed reading about this? Then you might like to read Studying Taaza Thindi To Understand The Secret Behind Scaling With Quality
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