Nasreddin Afandi, or Hodja Nasreddin, is not just a folk comic figure, but a sage who can teach us many things. Now, while teaching a course on strategic thinking and interaction at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and reflecting on the issues of morality and cunning in the context of strategy, I have rediscovered Afandi. Now he appears to me as a strategist, a person with deep strategic thinking. Of course, he is not a military or political strategist, but he is a great strategist in everyday life, a social strategist.

I recently gave an open lecture on Afandi as a strategist at UWED. After that, I received several invitations to give the same talk in some other places. So, a couple of days ago, I gave a new public talk at Human House in Tashkent titled “Nasreddin Afandi and Strategic Thinking.” There was a great audience, we analyzed various stories about Afandi from the point of view of strategic thinking, the use of humor and resourcefulness as strategic tools, even did some exercises, and, of course, laughed a lot.

Photos: During my recent talk at Human House about Nasreddin Afandi and strategic thinking.

I have been teaching and conducting various training sessions for a long time. I have a clear understanding of who I especially enjoy working with. In training workshops, these are primarily entrepreneurs, leaders and managers around 30-35 years old. On one hand, they have already gained experience and achieved certain successes, but on the other hand, they still maintain a strong desire to grow and reach new heights. In teaching, these are primarily motivated and curious students. When students are motivated and eager to learn, teaching becomes a pleasure. But if students lack the motivation to study, teaching becomes a real challenge, almost torment.

Mobile phones are the worst enemies of teachers, the learning process, and even the students themselves in the classroom. I would hang a drawing like this in the classrooms to discourage students from reaching for their mobile #phones. Or better yet, ban them from the classrooms.