CHANGE LEADERSHIP

Old standards.  New standards.  Common Core Standards. APPR. State testing.  No state testing.  Interim Assessments.  Formative assessments.  State aid.  Reduced state aid.  Changing student performance measures.  Graduation requirements and pathways.  New legislation.  New policies.  New leadership.  New initiatives.  New acronyms.

What one thread binds all of these together?  CHANGE.  They all represent some change that is challenging what we believe and how we do what we do.  We are living in a time of tremendous changes, especially in education.  Never have we experienced the unprecedented degree of simultaneous change as we have in the past few years.

As leaders, we must decide if we are going to embrace or resist change.  If we choose to embrace change we recognize that this decision, and the resulting journey, are not for the faint of heart, the weak in spirit, or the indecisive. It is not the time to "turn and run for the hills". Some may even argue that it is time to get out of education all together.

I would emphatically argue just the opposite.

I contend that now, more than ever, there exists the need for strong, determined, fearless, leadership in schools as the paradigms of what we hold true shift and move daily.  Our nation, our communities, our social institutions, our schools are crying out for leaders.  LEADERS!  Men and women of integrity and strength of character that are not afraid to lead in the face of significant adversity.

And what a great time to lead!

Consider this...if not you, then who?

Throughout my life and professional experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of what true leadership means, both conceptually and in practice.  John Maxwell's statement on leadership rings true to me, "Leadership is leadership, no matter where you go or what you do.  Times change.  Technology marches forward.  Cultures vary from place to place but the true principles of leadership are constant."

Our evaluation system may change.  The acronyms may change.  The people in positions of power and the initiatives may change.  But the need for leadership remains constant.

So....how do we lead successfully when it seems the rules are constantly changing and the goal remains elusive?

Consider the following in response to that question (source unknown):

"The greatest waste of our natural resources is the number of people who never achieve their potential.  GET OUT OF THE SLOW LANE.  Do not follow the crowd.  Shift into the fast lane.

• If you think you can't, you won't.
• If you think it's impossible, it is.
• If you think there's a good chance you can, you will.

Even making the effort will make you feel like a new person.  Reputations are made by searching for things that can't be done...and doing them.  Aim low-BORING.  Aim high-SOARING."

But soaring doesn't just happen.  It is the result of strong mental effort - thinking clearly, courageously, confidently, decisively.  It takes vision.  It takes the ability to see beyond the majority.  We must see beyond the negative - what is wrong, what is ugly, what is missing - and see what CAN be, what is beautiful, what is present.

We must see above and beyond the majority.

This reminds me of a fact I read about eagles.  Did you know an eagle has eight times as many visual cells per cubic centimeter than does a human?  This translates into rather astounding abilities.  For example, flying at 600 feet elevation, an eagle can spot a field mouse moving through six-inch grass and most often catch it.  The same bird can see three-inch fish swimming in a lake five miles away.

Did you know that eagle-like people can envision what most people never even consider?

Many people might tell you that schools are doomed to fail; that initiatives are underfunded and over mandated.  I might even agree.  However, rather than focus on what the majority sees - focus on the prize, the goal, what CAN be.  I DO believe we can improve teaching and learning.  I DO believe we can help teachers grow professionally.  I DO believe we can help students succeed. If these worthy goals must be accomplished within the parameters or constraints of underfunded and over mandated initiatives, courageous leaders will figure out how to blaze a path through the regulations and challenges and LEAD.  They will LEAD on behalf of their students. They will LEAD on behalf of their teachers.  They will LEAD on behalf of their school communities because that is what they have been called to do.   That is what each one of us is called to do.

If everyone says it can't be done, figure out a way to do it...and LEAD.  Our schools deserve men and women who are not afraid to lead.  This poem by Ted Engstrom sums things up perfectly.

"The World Needs Men and Women"