Philosophy of Leadership
My philosophy regarding leadership in education is based on the below tenets.
My philosophy regarding leadership in education is based on the below tenets.
Character. In leadership and in life this tenet trumps everything else. If you are judged as trustworthy, humble yet courageous, and empathetic most people will give you the opportunity to lead them in the school’s continuous improvement process. 'Authority does not come from a title, degree, or position. It comes because others believe in us and trust us. They know we care, they know we listen.' (Thomas Hoerr)
Character. In leadership and in life this tenet trumps everything else. If you are judged as trustworthy, humble yet courageous, and empathetic most people will give you the opportunity to lead them in the school’s continuous improvement process. 'Authority does not come from a title, degree, or position. It comes because others believe in us and trust us. They know we care, they know we listen.' (Thomas Hoerr)
Clarity. If you do nothing else as a leader, be clear. Clarity make us more transparent, productive, and proficient at what we do. My personal experience has been that the vast majority of personal and professional conflict is a result of miscommunication or a lack of communication.
Clarity. If you do nothing else as a leader, be clear. Clarity make us more transparent, productive, and proficient at what we do. My personal experience has been that the vast majority of personal and professional conflict is a result of miscommunication or a lack of communication.
Competent. This almost goes without saying but it has to be. All of us have worked with leaders whose degrees hang on their wall yet still have lacked the competency to lead a school well. The best way to get and stay competent is to listen more than you speak and create learning opportunities for yourself. Use communication as a strategy, elicit help, and constantly strive to be aware of your 'blind spots'.
Competent. This almost goes without saying but it has to be. All of us have worked with leaders whose degrees hang on their wall yet still have lacked the competency to lead a school well. The best way to get and stay competent is to listen more than you speak and create learning opportunities for yourself. Use communication as a strategy, elicit help, and constantly strive to be aware of your 'blind spots'.
Agent of Change. Schools are dynamic in nature, characterized by continuous change, activity, and hopefully progress. Whenever one takes on a new leadership position they must strive to understand how (and more importantly why) the faculty and student body act as they do. Only then can movements of change begin on behalf of students. Listen, understand. Then leave in place what works, improve on what can work better.
Agent of Change. Schools are dynamic in nature, characterized by continuous change, activity, and hopefully progress. Whenever one takes on a new leadership position they must strive to understand how (and more importantly why) the faculty and student body act as they do. Only then can movements of change begin on behalf of students. Listen, understand. Then leave in place what works, improve on what can work better.
These four characteristics are based on my thirty years of a century of working numerous jobs with hundreds of people. It is also based on the thousand or so relationships I have had in my fifty-three years on earth. I have led and followed. Leadership is more gray than black and white. The black and white becomes more defined when you focus on the few qualities that are necessary characteristics of leadership.
These four characteristics are based on my thirty years of a century of working numerous jobs with hundreds of people. It is also based on the thousand or so relationships I have had in my fifty-three years on earth. I have led and followed. Leadership is more gray than black and white. The black and white becomes more defined when you focus on the few qualities that are necessary characteristics of leadership.