Leadership

This is living into the future of almost finished. The District Honors art show is complete. In preparing for the event there are different kinds of leaders; the dictator who directs everything, the facilitator who allows other's strengths to take over, and the abdicator who does nothing. Many teachers like the whole sense of control over minute detail. That would not be me, and I'm thankful to be surrounded by detail, schedule oriented individuals.

In the space of planning, pulling together the event I tapped into the strengths of powerful players. Kelli had already organized the structure, where/when/how last year as lead, we as a committee had 98% of the teachers wanting it as a District art show. We even had dance, theater, orchestra performing.

Then as the event unfolded voices found forum around the letter/program design, posters, certificates. I made my fair share of ooops, re-writes, and slip ups. Hah! The evening was a huge success. A majority showed up, and a core group stayed to help wrap up. Today, Richard, Allison and myself packed and sorted the display panels with play, song, and smiles.

The reverberations of positives was truly outstanding. All our administrators were present - huge victory as none have ever attended previously. Everyone loved the location. Interesting, the consistently unhappy voices stayed unhappy and found things to be unhappy about and that was okay. The forward thinkers took initiative and became productive about setbacks, marvellous. I want them at my side when something critical happens.

What I learned about myself is that I do put my ideas out there to the committee and wait for their response. At some point, there is no response, I make a decision and just do it. I am in action and will accept the impact of my choice. It used to be I would wait for everyone else to share and then I'd say something - or not, be safe.

As a leader I receive a lot of flack - those unhappy individuals will murmur, rumble, grumble, and moan and I'm at the receiving end. It's totally about them and their dis - ease. I take responsibility for loss of integrity (my slip ups) and give them their voice. It's all about community and relating.

I can see why I worked so hard to avoid leadership, play it safe, keep a low profile. Now that I've a taste of being in the forefront, making things happen, I can see why people love it and are drawn to leadership, thirsty for more. All that discomfort around change is well worth the result of drawing out other's strengths to bring about a collaborative success.

Two months of Lead District Art Teacher, one meeting with studio work, one party meeting at the end, and I hand over the title to my friend and co-worker Susan. I will be complete with my leadership in grand scale. Learning to lead is ongoing. We are all born leaders - we just have to give ourselves permission to explore that terrain and find our style. Claim our birthright.

The inner city teacher is thankful 8th graders graduate and go onto high school and have the opportunity to get a job stacking supermarket shelves. The upscale suburban teacher speaks to the students as future world leaders who have a huge impact on the society. We live into the language we speak about ourselves and we create others in language.