In an industry of teachers and leaders it comes as no surprise that we are also a community of readers and researchers, constantly in motion and learning from each other. It is one of our best qualities as educators. If a new book comes out, we read it. If new research is released, we discuss it. We are continually reaching for crumbs of information or inspiration that might help us find new and better ways to teach kids.
Still, one point of caution is in order as we all run around quoting the same research, authors and each other. We can easily fall into the trap of “group think,” an uninspiring thought process that discourages creativity and individual responsibility. There is a fine line, indeed, between honoring and learning from the work of others and not trusting our professional instincts to go on own way.
Many great writers and philosophers have warned us about this. For me, Shakespeare is just one who comes to mind (see the funeral speeches from Julius Caesar).
Instructional leadership demands action, innovation
So what’s the point? The point is that schools and school systems need strong leadership, maybe now more than ever. And this reality is even more critical: Leaders are not follows. I cannot tell you how many conversations I have had with aspiring leaders and my advice sounds something like this: “You are doing great work but you are following. I need you to lead.” Yes, the world needs leaders because we need people who challenge our thinking, inspire new solutions, believe in the possibilities before us and trust that they are the ones who can rally the troops to victory. Followers don’t do that.
What’s the difference between leading and following? Here are three examples to consider:
- Leading demands initiative.
- You are not leading if you are waiting for me to assign you a task.
- Leading demands innovation.
- You are not leading if you are tackling the problem the way everyone else does.
- Leading demands determination.
- You are not leading if you are not grounded in something and not willing to fight for it.
I have found myself quoting Gandhi a lot recently. He has much to teach us regarding leadership. One such quote goes like this: “First they ignore you, then then laugh at you, then they fight you. And then you win.” You see, leadership is about winning because the stakes are so high, especially in education. We simply cannot afford to lose and we need leaders with conviction who know where they want to go and leaders with savvy who can entreat others to follow.
In your next conversation with a hard-working, young leader, ask yourself whether he or she is actually leading and not following. For the good of the industry, consider pulling them aside and challenging them to lead: I need you to challenge our thinking as an organization, to keep us honest, to hold us accountability, to pose alternate solutions (especially unpopular ones), to be well-read, well-spoken and sufficiently grounded in your core beliefs so you can change our course and make things right again. I need you to stand for something and guide our path because this is important work and that makes you very, very important. If you don’t, then others will, and that will make them the leaders and you just a follower with a fancy title.
