Week 5 – Developing Leadership #SAVMP

“Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” — Tom Peters

One of the best things that I had as a teacher was a principal that believed in me.  I remember having a conversation with her about technology in school, and she asked me what I thought the budget should be for the year and what we should look at purchasing.  I was perplexed by the question as this was traditionally the principal’s call and she looked at me and said, “I hired you for your knowledge in this area.  Why would I make decisions for something that I do not know much about?  I trust you.”

After that, I would have done anything for that principal (and still do as she is still my boss as the division level).  When you give over power and responsibility it says one thing, but when you say where people excel and build upon it, that is also an important trait.

For this week’s topic, I want you to think about how you develop leadership in your buildings/work. How do you promote others to lead?  This is important to focus on whether we try to “control” our people, or “unleash” their talents.  What are some of the things that you do that make this happen?

Have a great week!!!

Here is an interesting article on “Leadership Development” that may spark some ideas.  – The #1 Reason Leadership Development Fails  

 

5 Comments on Week 5 – Developing Leadership #SAVMP

  1. vcisneros
    September 2, 2013 at 6:27 am (11 years ago)

    Thanks to the #SAVMP I am continually reminded of all the great mentors I’ve had, all those who believed in me and developed the leader in me, and best of all – all of the great mentors I still have today.

    Reply
    • ddrinkwalter
      September 7, 2013 at 3:25 pm (11 years ago)

      Out of curiosity vcisneros can you share one example of what a mentor did, said, or perhaps showed you?

      Reply
  2. ddrinkwalter
    September 7, 2013 at 3:36 pm (11 years ago)

    One thing I do is support and encourage others to try something new if they are dabbling in it with their thoughts, research, and/or discussions with others. We use and continue to develop our knowledge and understanding as a District on they big “why” questions and hence are pushing and focusing on the learning and not focus on the teaching per se. This process, as guided and supported by Steven Katz has been phenomenal and the importance of working with and questioning learning for students is at the core.
    Where I need to continue to develop and work at is checking in more regularly and seeing how things are going and how do people know what they have actually done and/or changed, implemented actually worked. Where is the evidence and how do we collect it and share it. Instead of working a mile wide and and inch deep, we are working on the one inch and taking our understanding and pushing it a mile deep. #savmp #savmpmentors

    Reply
  3. Darren
    September 9, 2013 at 4:22 am (11 years ago)

    I’m finding that developing leadership is dependent on the person you are trying to engage in being a leader. Not everyone is willing, but everyone has it in them to try. There are two types of people that I find myself working with on becoming a leader on a daily basis:

    1. These people are the most reluctant to lead, but their experience and enthusiasm in the classroom needs to be shared with others. The thing that I find works best is to actually work along side them or team teach as much as possible. I find in these situations that showing them how easy (in this case technology) certain strategies or tools are, the better greater increase in confidence. It’s like slowly letting the rope of rowboat out a little further until they are ready to row themselves.
    My measure of accomplishment comes when teachers begin to teach others, making me expendable at that point.

    2. Working with those that are born or willing to lead, is more about asking the right questions. Many times I find these type ‘A’ personalities just forge ahead thinking they are on the right track; however many important details are missing. My measure of success in these cases is when the teachers begin to ask their own questions or ask a mentor (me) if whether or not their approach will be appropriate.

    Both cases are exciting to be apart of and it’s what makes my role in education an enjoyable one. In the end, the ones who benefit the most are the students themselves. #savmp

    Reply
  4. Bill
    November 16, 2013 at 6:07 pm (10 years ago)

    They create confidence in the ability and experience of their people!

    Reply

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