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Teresa Flynn-Everett
“Like a rock thrown in a river, the words of a leader send a ripple effect throughout the organization .” – Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn
Leadership is a big job, and it matters how you get started! A leader will influence others to accomplish the mission. Leaders will need a comprehensive menu that defines the success of the team. A clear vision will provide accountability while also allowing team members to be creative in their approach to accomplish the goals. Here are some tools for getting started.
Keep your lid on.
When the InstaPot is sealed and allows the food to cook perfectly. Leaders keep their lid on by staying focused on the purpose and mission of the organization. Leaders are faced with many decisions and need to maintain a steady hand and calm temperament. High emotions may lead to poor decision making. To that point, leaders work to avoid making permanent solutions for temporary problems.
Implementing a problem-solving system that allows for objectivity and analysis will keep the organization sealed from chasing initiatives, projects, and ideas that do not fulfill the mission. Keeping the lid on by ensuring that all stakeholders know what the mission, vision, value, and goals are of the organization is key.
Make sure your inner pot is inserted.
Your inner leadership pot is your personal values. Values will aid in your development. Also, it is our own values that will help us to make the decision, especially the really tough choices. My personal values are often activated when needing to make the best decision regarding a student’s consequence for suspendable behaviors. I lean on my ultimate purpose, which is to help students grow and learn. Ensuring that I work with the student to help them understand that their poor decision is not who they are, it’s merely what they have done.
I value restorative practices, and to that point, my inner pot whenever possible strays away from suspension and leans into corrective action plans that help students double down in the areas in which improvement is needed. Values guide decision making and direct you toward your purpose. It is essential to have values and a good heart. Who wants to follow a leader who only looks out for themselves? Most of us want to work with leaders that do the right thing for the right reason. True leaders do the right thing when no one is looking and stick to the inner pot, which is to stand steadfast on their values.
Use a steamer basket.
Sometimes, depending on your secretary or supervisors to strain or steam topics before your grappling with them is helpful. Give yourself thinking time, be strategic and purposeful in your leadership. You shouldn’t hold yourself to one plan. Leave your options open.
Listen to people and keep your mind open to new ideas. As a leader, use discretion as to who and what is allowed your inner circle. Leadership requires you to listen to those around you, but be careful about permitting unnecessary information in