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For me, being a leader is much more than just being a manager or boss. Being an educational leader is not about people working for you in a school, but about inspiring people to follow you, trust you, adopt your shared vision, and work with you to accomplish that shared goal/vision. As William Arthur Ward stated, "Leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation." Leadership deals with designing and developing a better future, not just about being efficient "today." All leaders should be good managers; but, not all managers are leaders. The distinction lies in the ideas and innovation that one possesses and the relationships that (s)he builds and maintains to actualize them. Specifically for me, the focus has always been and will always be my students. From instruction to school culture to recruiting and retaining teachers to providing professional development, etc., students are always at the heart of every decision that I make.Furthermore, in a school, there should be many leaders, not just the principal. Teachers should be leaders not only in their classroom, but in their schools and communities. Students should learn leadership from their teachers and their parents, so that they will be active participants of their school and community too.As an educational leader, I try to make sure that I am visible, approachable, positive, enthusiastic, honest, fair, motivating, understanding, helpful, loyal, communicative, hard-working, and supportive, as well as hold and model high expectations.
Lastly, here are some of my favorite quotes about leadership!:
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. - Douglas MacArthur
As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. - Bill Gates
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but out to be. - Rosalynn Carter
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. - John C. Maxwell
Great leaders don't blame the tools that they are given. They work to sharpen them. - Simon Sinek
The role of a great leader is not to give greatness to human beings, but to help them extract the greatness they already have inside them. - J. Buchanan
Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing. - Tom Peters
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