In the old days, a tough exterior and demeanor were often applauded. It was thought that if you were tough, you'd lead well.
Today we know sugar is sweeter and strengths-based leadership and effort work a whole lot better.
I sometimes think that people of my age have a learning curve to go through with this in mind. Many of us grew up with tough teachers, tough leaders, and sometimes tough parents. We learned to "tow the line" and do as we were told. That's the leadership mentoring we had.
Now, however, with books like Pink's Drive and others we are moved towards the adage, "sugar is sweeter." We achieve a lot with kindness, care, compassion, and strengths-based leadership, learning, and teaching. It's not like the old days.
I have no resentment for those who follow the rules of the past, but instead, like me, I hope they strive to update their management style and direction--we do better together and we do better when we maximize each other's strengths rather than ridicule and play on one another's weaknesses.
There's much to learn in this world of ours as we come together to positively affect our lives and the lives of those around us in our schools, neighborhoods, communities and elsewhere. Here's to the shift. Wisdom is always welcome.
