Journal of Education Technology in Health Sciences 2021;8(3):88–92 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals Journal of Education Technology in Health Sciences Journal homepage: http://www.jeths.net/ Review Article S-5 formula for leadership development Balachandra Adkoli 1, * 1 Centre for Health Professions Education, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pondicherry, India ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 16-11-2021 Accepted 13-12-2021 Available online 13-01-2022 Keywords: Leadership Mentoring Feedback Reflection Competency Based Medical Education Professionalism ’S5 Formula of Leadership Development’ ABSTRACT Leadership is an area of perennial interest cutting across all fields of knowledge, including health sciences. The current models of leadership emphasize the skills and techniques derived from behavioural sciences and management. S-5 Formula is a developmental model, evidenced by learning theories and anchored in ancient Indian wisdom. The leadership journey begins by Setting a high goal (Sankalpa) to achieve something big, different and useful. This journey is aided by a Self- study and reflection (Swadhyaya). It gains Synergy (Satsanga) through collaborative learning, mentoring and feedback. The next phase is Service (Seva). Finally, the leader does act of Surrender (Samarpan), giving back to the society thus becoming an instrument of change. The theoretical framework behind these components and their implications for practice have been discussed. This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com 1. Introduction Leadership is a crucial issue in every field of human activity. Leaders make a difference to the organizations as well as to the society. While leadership matters in every field, it is of great significance in medical education, which prepares the doctors to deal with life and death situation. The quality of health care and wellbeing of the people are largely determined by competent and caring medical professionals who lead the health team. In a complex, interdependent world, leadership is even more challenging. COVID pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of the medical profession and the need for change. Of late, the regulators have recognized the need for strengthening leadership right from the undergraduate level. National Medical Commission has redefined the role of Indian Medical Graduate (IMG) as a team leader, interpersonal communicator, professional and lifelong * Corresponding author. E-mail address: bvadkoli@gmail.com (B. Adkoli). learner besides serving as a clinician. 1 These attributes underpin leadership training. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the National Education Policy, 2020 also emphasize the role of leadership training in health sciences universities. 2,3 However, explaining the dynamics of leadership has been a jigsaw puzzle. The field of leadership has been enriched by the theories of learning derived from behavioural sciences, sociology, psychology and management. 4 A systematic review of leadership development programs reveals a narrow focus on individual-level rather than system-level outcomes. 5 There has been no effort to blend the Western theories with the Indian Philosophy. 2. The Search for a New Formula The S-5 Formula of Leadership Development is an attempt to view leadership as a long developmental journey (Fig 1). It identifies the process, and the major milestones in the development of leadership which begin with letter ‘S’ in English and Sanskrit. (Box) https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jeths.2021.018 2454-4396/© 2021 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 88