Vicky Colbert is the Founder and Director of Fundación Escuela Nueva, and co-creator of the Escuela Nueva pedagogical model, known for its effectiveness in improving the quality and relevance of basic education in underprivileged schools across Colombia and beyond. She is the 2013 WISE Prize for Education Laureate.
Vicky Colbert of Success | For me success means empowering others. And empowering others means empowering not only students, but adults and communities through education, in order to unfold the best of their talents. Furthermore, success means creating those tools so others can take advantage of them and empower themselves, and in hopes to promote important leaders in society. As more and more people are empowered, both through the education system and through personal relationships, that for me is the greatest definition of success. This meaning to have the greatest satisfaction of unleashing the talents of each individual, their human development.
My Highlights | I have received a lot of pride when I have witnessed results, in empirical dimensions and in qualitative relationships; by this I mean having the opportunity to see people grow in their human development. Also, another highlight is seeing the big impact that we have had over millions of children, adults and communities in the world. To have this evidence and to see these proven results I think is one of the most important aspects of my career and life. In addition of having big impact, is seeing that we have promoted individuals’ personal talents, and I think this is the most important part of life; through the right type of education, an education that is transformative and that really promotes human beings.
A Key Talent | It hasn’t been so much of a talent, as it has been of a strength, which is persistence. I am a very persistent person and until I don’t see that things are happening I don’t stop. But at the same time, I think I have the ability to understand people’s feelings and emotions; therefore I consider myself having some level of empathy, which is important when you are a leader. I am not giving a step-by-step piece; it is simply a result of many years of experience. I think that persistence and empathy are two crucial dimensions of leadership.
The Characteristics of Success | Precisely the strengths I mentioned earlier, persistence and empathy. Also, trying to empower others and always being intentional of having positive behaviours and feedback, instead of negativity. I think this has been extremely helpful in reaching my achievements. Furthermore, sizing up people and situations, is a fundamental ability, which has to deal with what we now call transformative leadership. It is a type of leadership where you empower your followers to get the best out of them.
Lessons I Have Learnt | The biggest lesson I have learned so far in my career and life journey is that the more you empower your followers the better results you have. This means trust, sharing with others, having a lot of patience, and taking initiative; but at the same time, the most important aspect is having respect for the dignity of others and those you work with.
Dealing with Doubt | Every time I have faced any level of self-doubt, fear or negativity, I take that difficulty as a challenge; a challenge that I must face and move forward with.
The Meaning of Life | I think the meaning of life is really giving yourself to others, and in our circumstance in a developing country, it is to drive social change and reduce inequity. The meaning of life is really unleashing the human potential of every person.
On Inspiring Others | To find, motivate and keep great people working with me, it is important to give them the space to grow. If you look at the team here at Fundación Escuela Nueva we have been together since the beginning of it all, we have the most senior persons here. And this is because we have unleashed their potential, empowered them, and most important given them the space to grow.
The Legacy I Would Like To Leave | I would like to leave a new approach to learning (which is not new) in the hands of millions of children, especially in the developing world, where they can learn in a different way so they can become leaders themselves. This is what the Escuela Nueva model promotes, and I feel that quality education is the most important variable for any kind of change, whether it is economical, political, cultural or social. Moreover, a good approach to learning is through our strategies, which precisely fosters working with other human beings and reaching one’s full potential.
Michael Jordaan, Venture Capitalist and wine enthusiast stepped down as CEO of First National Bank, one of SA’s largest banks with a customer base of nearly nine million, in August 2013 to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship. With more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector and nearly a decade at the helm […]
Jon Mooallem is a a contributing writer at New York Times Magazine and writer at large for Pop-Up Magazine. Jon is also the author of American Hippopotamus and Wild Ones. Jon Mooallem Definition Of Success | I used to conflate success with impressing people and accumulating little tokens of prestige. Now, I see success in […]
Vicky Colbert is the Founder and Director of Fundación Escuela Nueva, and co-creator of the Escuela Nueva pedagogical model, known for its effectiveness in improving the quality and relevance of basic education in underprivileged schools across Colombia and beyond. She is the 2013 WISE Prize for Education Laureate. Vicky Colbert of Success | For me […]
Nicholas Rawhani first felt the urge to photograph everything around him on a family trip to India. Today, he shares the things that shock his senses on his photo blog, iamnixpix , which is a vehicle he uses to capture the beauty that surrounds him and communicate those indescribable emotions that he feels on a […]
Empower, impact and independence are three significant words to Tracey Gilmore. Formerly the co-founder of Dress 2 Impress, a non profit organisation that helps low income and unemployed women prepare to enter the workplace, Tracey joined up with Tracey Chambers and together they founded The Clothing Bank. Today, the work of this generous spirit enables […]
“Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth who care for and protect our people.” – Nelson Mandela via SOS Children’s Villages South Africa Steve Miller has an ability to communicate […]
Penny Heyns TLP is, without doubt, the world’s greatest female breaststroke swimmer of the 20th Century. She is the only woman in Olympic history to win both the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke events in Atlanta 1996 and broke 14 individual world records during her career. Her achievements brought her personal audiences with Nelson Mandela […]
H.E. Dr. Ambassador Tal Edgars is one of the most sought after business strategists of our time. He is the founder of the GBSH Consult Group and companies such as GGKAfrica, Edgars International, Tal Edgars Media Franchise. He is also the author of “Good karma in Business”. He sits on the board of several companies […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
