How can we lead each other in schools? What can we do to support one another's efforts, needs, and interests when it comes to teaching well. I am thinking about this as the new school year planning begins to take hold.
Good leadership, in part, occurs with the following statements, questions, and actions:
- Notice what each other does, and positively comment on each other's good work:
- Great bulletin board!
- Love that lesson!
- Thanks for helping out with that difficult situation.
- Thanks for sharing that device, tool, resource. . . .
- How can we work together to make this a successful, collaborative year?
- What patterns and routines of communication will support our collaboration?
- Can I help you with that?
- I noticed that you're really good at ____, and I was wondering if you could help me out with ________.
- I live near you, and if you ever need a ride. . . .
- I noticed this opportunity, and thought you might be interested in it.
- Nominate your colleagues for awards, and acknowledge their good work publicly.
- Help out when times are tough (I'm so grateful to my colleagues for chipping in when one of my sons was very ill--they didn't ask, but instead just jumped in and helped out)
- Be honest and helpful when it comes to uncomfortable situations. (Once a colleague kindly called me on words I used--words that were inappropriate in ways I wasn't aware of. She was courageous to speak up and really helped me in a quiet, personal way)
- Look for ways to simplify and improve work conditions together so that we have more time and support to do the good work possible.
- Do what you can when you can.
There's so much we can do to lead each other forward with positive, proactive action. What else would you add to this list?
