Passing the Baton: Dr. Kenneth Scott on the Transition to Indian Leadership
In a 2012 reflection on his time as Director of the Ludhiana Christian Medical College from 1963 to 1974, Dr. Kenneth Scott shared a powerful story about a necessary and joyful transition of power. After spending a decade in Korea, where he saw local leaders rightfully holding all executive positions, his arrival in India presented a starkly different picture.
At the Ludhiana Christian Medical College, nearly every key administrative and leadership role was held by a Western expatriate. “We felt this is an anomaly in this day and age,” Dr. Scott recalled. This realization sparked a mission within a mission: to actively identify and encourage Indian colleagues to take over the leadership positions they were more than capable of filling. He candidly noted his feeling of embarrassment that a prominent Indian institution had, for so long, been directed exclusively by Westerners.
Dr. Scott’s heartfelt conviction soon met with practical necessity. The Indian government began denying visas to new foreign missionaries, making the development of local leadership not just the right thing to do, but the only way to ensure a sustainable future for the College’s work.
The story culminates in a moment of profound fulfillment. When Dr. Scott’s tenure ended, his chosen successor became the first-ever Indian director of the Ludhiana Christian Medical College. “I was so happy,” he shared. His reflection is a powerful reminder that true success isn’t measured by holding onto control, but by empowering local leaders to guide their own communities and joyfully passing the baton.