Extension Education Institute (EEI), Hyderabad organized an Off campus training program titled "Leadership and Personality Development Skills for Professional Excellence for the Officers of Animal Husbandry, Telangana State" from 24th to 27th June 2025.
The training programme on "Leadership and Personality Development Skills for Professional Excellence" holds significant relevance for veterinary officers of Telangana, who play a vital role in ensuring animal health, promoting livestock productivity, and safeguarding public health through zoonotic disease prevention. In the context of evolving challenges in the animal husbandry sector, such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and the need for farmer-centric extension services, veterinary officers must be equipped not only with technical expertise but also with strong leadership qualities, emotional intelligence, and effective communication skills. This programme aimed to enhance their self-awareness, interpersonal skills, decision-making capabilities, and professional confidence, thereby enabling them to function more effectively as change agents, team leaders, and community facilitators. In view of the above, the Extension Education Institute (EEI), Hyderabad organized an Off campus training program titled "Leadership and Personality Development Skills for Professional Excellence for the Officers of Animal Husbandry, Telangana State" from 24th to 27th June 2025. Contents covered in the programme were - Leadership Personality development – an overview, Behavioral traits for effective leadership, Emotional intelligence skills, Decision making & problem-solving skills, Communication & public speaking skills, Change management for leadership development, AI Driven leadership skills, Negotiation & Conflict management skills, Work Place Ethics, Work Life Balance, Skills on Appreciative enquiry, Stress management skills, Time management skills. To initiate active participation and create a comfortable learning environment, an interactive ice-breaking activity was conducted after the self-introduction of the participants. The activity, titled “The Number Game – Focus and Alertness Challenge,” was designed to enhance concentration, attentiveness, and rule-based thinking—key qualities essential for leadership and professional development.
- In this game, participants stood in a circle and were asked to count aloud in a sequential manner from 1 onwards. However, with an engaging twist to test their presence of mind:
- For every number that is a multiple of 5, the participant had to clap instead of saying the number aloud.
- For every number that is a multiple of 7, the participant had to remain silent.
- If a number is a multiple of both 5 and 7 (e.g., 35), the participant had to both clap and remain silent—which meant silently clapping.
- Any participant who missed a cue—by saying the number instead of clapping or staying silent at the wrong time—was considered out of the round. The game restarted from 1 after each elimination, and continued until one participant remained. The last participant standing was declared the winner.
- This lively and engaging exercise served not only to energize the participants but also to subtly reinforce the importance of attentive listening, rule adherence, and quick thinking—critical attributes for veterinary officers in their professional roles.
The field visit to Shanti Sarovar – Brahma Kumaris offered the participants a reflective and transformative understanding of Work-Life Balance and Workplace Ethics from a spiritual and value-based perspective. Sister Ruchi explained the concept of Work-Life Balance using the "Jar of Life" analogy, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing essential aspects like health, relationships, and self-care before professional commitments, much like placing big rocks before sand in a jar. She also illustrated Workplace Ethics through relatable corporate case examples, highlighting the role of integrity, empathy, and self-discipline in building a harmonious and productive work environment. The session encouraged participants to integrate inner peace and ethical clarity into their professional lives, promoting holistic well-being and leadership from within. A brief guided meditation was also done. As a part of the , participants engaged in a variety of simulation exercises, interactive games, quizzes, psychometric tests, and self-assessment tools designed to help them evaluate and reflect on their current competencies in key areas such as leadership, decision-making, time and stress management, conflict resolution, negotiation skills, emotional intelligence, communication, change management, and interpersonal effectiveness. These experiential learning methods fostered greater self-awareness and encouraged participants to identify personal strengths and areas for growth essential for professional excellence. Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director, EEI, in his inaugural address, emphasized the critical need for veterinary officers to strengthen their leadership and personality traits to meet the emerging challenges in animal husbandry and public health. He encouraged participants to approach the training with an open mind, engage actively, and internalize key learnings that would enhance their professional impact at the grassroots level. Dr. N. Selvam, Joint Director, Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, graced the valedictory session as Chief Guest and appreciated EEI Hyderabad’s efforts in building the leadership capacities of veterinary officers through such well-structured training programmes. He encouraged participants to apply the insights gained to improve service delivery at the field level and contribute proactively to the growth of the livestock sector. Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, appreciated the enthusiasm and participation of the officers throughout the training and expressed confidence that the experiential sessions would bring meaningful change in their work practices. He urged them to be ambassadors of ethical leadership and personal excellence, thereby contributing to a more resilient and responsive veterinary service system in Telangana. Later, Dr. N. Selvam and Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director, EEI, jointly distributed certificates to the participants, marking the successful completion of the programme. Participants expressed that sessions on Decision-Making Skills, Stress Management, Conflict Management and Negotiation Skills, and AI-Driven Leadership were highly informative, engaging, and practically relevant to their roles. These sessions provided valuable insights and tools to navigate complex work situations with greater clarity, composure, and confidence. The hands-on activities and real-life case discussions deepened their understanding and made the learning process enjoyable and impactful. Overall, participants felt that the programme has equipped them with essential leadership and personal effectiveness skills to perform their duties more efficiently and responsibly in the field. Thirty-one (31) trainees participated from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Telangana state. The program was coordinated by Dr. M. Preethi, Professor, EEI, Hyderabad.
