In a recent LinkedIn post, Devi Sahny shares her reflections on the transformative power of community, contrasting her experiences at large-scale forums with a more intimate educational leaders’ gathering in London. Originally slated to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sahny found herself drawn to The Education Leaders Forum, a community initiative founded by Vikas Pota.
Sahny expressed initial ambivalence towards traditional large conferences, citing the potential for overwhelming crowds and superficial interactions. She described the common experience of repetitive conversations and the difficulty of disengaging from unproductive discussions.
“I have reached the point in my career where I have mixed feelings about conferences. The efficiency of it makes complete sense. But the overwhelming amount of people mixed with the “What do you do?”, “Where are you from” and the awkward moment when you don’t know how to end a conversation going nowhere, or when the room blurs and every human starts looking the same.”
The Power of Focused Community
Sahny highlights that her experience at The Education Leaders Forum was markedly different. She was particularly struck by the caliber of individuals and the profound impact this concentrated group has on shaping educational policy, curriculum, and implementation. As Sahny notes, the forum brings together leaders from significant educational organizations, including CEOs of major educational movements and large school groups.
Despite the high level of expertise present, Sahny found the environment to be surprisingly welcoming and collaborative. She observed that the community’s foundation is built more on genuine connection and friendship than on professional posturing.
“And yet, the irony is you don’t. Everyone is so open the connection. The community is so much more built on friendship than anything else.”
Key Takeaways and Connections
Sahny detailed several personal highlights from the forum, underscoring the value she placed on both the professional and personal interactions. These included participating in an early morning run organized by David J Harkin, which provided an opportunity to connect with both new and old acquaintances like Camilo Llinás.
She also mentioned specific individuals she reconnected with or met, such as James Russell, Stacey Brewer, Arno Krug Junior, Nassir Kasuri, Fanny Moral, and Feroz Ali. A particularly meaningful reunion was with Nick Magnus MBE, described as one of her earliest supporters.
A significant moment, according to Sahny, was hearing Aatif Hassan deliver an inspirational talk titled “Are we being ambitious enough in education?” This talk clearly resonated with Sahny, prompting further reflection on the future direction of educational endeavors.
Rethinking Professional Engagement
Sahny’s post serves as a compelling argument for the effectiveness of smaller, more focused communities over large, general conferences. According to Sahny, the depth of connection and the potential for meaningful impact are significantly greater in environments that prioritize genuine relationship-building.
She concludes by posing a question to her network, inviting them to share their own experiences:
“I’d love to know- When was the last time a community truly changed how you think about your work?”
Devi Sahny’s reflections offer a valuable perspective for business leaders and professionals navigating the landscape of networking and professional development, emphasizing the enduring importance of authentic community.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Devi Sahny on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 20, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →