Leadership one-on-oneBhushan Gopaluni

BG: While I had never planned to be in a leadership role, I’ve always been fascinated with leadership styles. I enjoy reading books by authors such as Daniel Goleman, who states that truly effective leaders are distinguished by a high degree of emotional intelligence.

During my career, I have learned that success in leadership is very simple. Leaders must be down to earth, show humility, listen to people and show extreme patience. These are the qualities that have helped me most in leadership roles. The most effective leaders I’ve experienced always try to find a win-win situation when making decisions around complex issues.

BG: A good joke, especially when it’s laced with the self-deprecating wit characteristic of British humour. Sharing jokes in my classroom is something I relish, and I enjoy observing the irony that unfolds in daily life. 

BG: Many individuals spark inspiration in me, spanning from world-class athletes, renowned scientists,  notable historical figures to people I meet in everyday life. The tenacity and grit in world-class players, the humility and drive to serve society in leaders, and the passion for innovation in scientists, have all inspired me at different stages of my life.

BG: The people set UBC apart. We have some of the best faculty members, brightest students and amazing staff which makes it one of the greatest places to be educated. Additionally, our world-class facilities position us as a premier educational institution.

BG: I’ve learned to ask for help when you need it because there are a lot of supportive and intelligent people around. Without asking for help, you are going to stunt your own ability to grow and develop. 

Also, I’ve learned to offer help and not to expect anything in return. One of my favourite authors on organizational psychology is Adam Grant, who says: “The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.”

I’m also a proponent of Cal Newport’s theory that, instead of trying to follow our passion, we should follow our curiosity to find our passion. That’s how my career evolved. 

I always tell my children that it’s important to volunteer for opportunities that come their way. The same applies to leaders; get involved in a wide range of activities because it leads to more doors opening, expands your network and gives you increased visibility, which leads to new opportunities knocking on your door. 

BG: I enjoy hiking, skiing or watching movies with my family.

BG: When I was a PhD student, my professor used to always carry a book. He said: “You should never stop reading.” That was such a valuable piece of advice. Lifelong learning is important.

BG: I value the friendly and helpful nature of my colleagues. I’m also struck by how intelligent the people around me are. It’s a blessing to work in such an environment. I learn something new during every conversation and meeting I have. 

BG: From a research standpoint, I would like UBC to be known as one of the top places in the world for research and innovation in industrial automation. And in my capacity as a leader, I am committed to enhancing the effectiveness of our admissions process.

BG: I would create more hours in the day to work on my various projects and help people achieve their best potential.

BG: I see these tools as having a lot of exciting potential. I do not see them as threat. We need to find ways to effectively use these tools to enhance learning and improve students’ productivity. We don’t know where we are heading, but it seems clear to me that someone is going to use these technologies to disrupt education in the same way that teaching has evolved for centuries. I belive that we could be the disruptors who create a new way to teach students. In fact, it’s more likely that innovations around new ways of teaching students will come from within a university than from outside.

BG: The pandemic was a huge learning for us all. While the COVID-19 restrictions are over, the experience has permanently altered how we offer our classes to students. The data appears to suggest that students are taking fewer courses per term therefore, the existing in-person, hybrid and multi access classes can be expanded upon to offer more options to current and prospective students particularly in Vancouver, who can have such long commute times.