The inner makings of a leader are made up of guts. In other words, it takes guts to be a leader. Bravo if you are leading already because it is scary as h#**! Guts can be full of some pretty tough stuff so I decided to unravel the makings of a leader. I found some very specific actions that have developed my ability to provide clear and inspiring messaging and have helped me find some answers to some pretty hard questions along the way. Let’s get started with finding out what leader’s guts are made of and why it takes guts to be a leader.
Leaders Model Their Expectations – This is scary because you are putting yourself out there and making yourself vulnerable – which is also oh so effective. Modelling is a powerful tool to help with setting up your expectations. Model everything that you expect your teachers to do. If it is a writing strategy, write in front of them. If it is a professional development on reader/writer workshop, design your meetings to be a workshop model. If it is assessment, model how you might analyze a work sample. Write, problem solve, analyze, think out loud in front of your teachers any chance you can. It sets up exactly what you are looking for and places you in a space of vulnerability which people will appreciate. It also gives them clarity on what the next steps might be. Oh and it is also a very gutsy move!
Leaders Co-Construct Criteria of Expectations – It is way easier to just give them your list of expectations and send htem on their way. But it takes guts to build that list of expectations alongside them. Why? Because you are giving them the wheel and you never know what might happen. However, by giving them a say, makes it matter to them and that increases motivation and engagement – gutsy move my friend but worth it. Whenever you have a question/priority to solve. Ask the question starting with “What’s Important When….(including students in assessment, engaging students, launching workshop, teaching multi-step problem solving, etc). Next, build criteria with your teachers and have every voice included to answer this question. Get them to write their ideas on sticky notes (one idea per sticky note), then sort them into similar grouping. These headings become your criteria. Everyone has responsibility in setting up the ‘rules’, therefore it matters to everyone. Use this criteria to come back to whenever you want to remind them of your expectations. You can also use it to give feedback or have them coach or self assess. And yes…..it takes a lot of guts.
Leaders Set Deadlines – Any time a leader is assertive, it takes guts. You are setting some hard lines and it is way easier just to let things go. But we all know that never goes well, therefore being assertive is all part of the gutsy risk taking that pays off big time. I know you have heard me say this many times! Deadlines create a sense of urgency and get things done. Set a deadline for everything and see how much more work happens. And yes, some people will not like it but that is where you hold tight to your guts and set that deadline anyway! Oh…and also make sure you are setting deadlines for yourself too! Yet another gutsy move that gains big revenue.
Leaders Design Professional Development to Happen In Classrooms With The Students – Being visible in classrooms is perhaps the gutsyiest (is that a word?) move of them all! But holy cow is it the most effective thing you can do to motivate and inspire your teachers! Professional development does not just need to happen on PD days or in meetings. It can happen daily inside classrooms right in front of the kids. The benefit is that you actually get to put the learning that took place in the meetings into action inside the classroom with you supporting the teacher. This is a huge way to get your teachers out of the ‘learning’ mode and into the ‘doing’ mode. Not to mention it helps you to build relationships with your teachers because you are in the classroom team teaching with them. The kids also get to see their administrator and teacher as learners. Win win – but it takes a massive amount of guts!
Leaders Workshop Their Meetings – Holy cow this is where the rubber hits the road in adult learning! It is a gutsy move that takes a little time to implement but it will be a traction gaining move when it comes to getting teachers to embark effectively in adult learning to increase student learning. Nobody likes to sit and listen to endless droning and powerpoints. I am not saying this happens at every meeting, but it does happen. Why not look at ways to engage your teachers by getting them to do more of the thinking and learning within the meeting. Rather than having them sit and listen, do a 10-15 minute mini lesson and then get them doing the work independently and in small groups while you conference, support, or nudge. Transform you meetings into adult learning workshop sessions rather than just housekeeping. Yep you guessed it, this takes some gut work too!
Provide Them With A Roadmap Whenever You Can – In order to prioritize and pin point your top priority, it requires you to empty the closet of problems, sort them, and streamline which one is the one you should focus on. Taking everything out, is overwhelming and it takes perseverance to really figure out where to focus first. Perseverance takes guts. Whenever you have an expectation, set them up with a roadmap. I would even suggest co-constructing the roadmap with them. We all like to know where we are going and the directions we need to take to get there. Leadership is no different. Often you are leading them to something, inspiring them to figure something out, or to get them taking action. What better way to get them to take the first step than by designing a step by step ‘how to’ roadmap alongside them. This will give them the ultimate clarity and because they co-constructed it with you, it will matter more to them. But it is reaaaaallllly hard and it takes deep thinking, perseverance, and resiliency which also takes a lot of guts to stick with it.
So there you have it! The 6 actions that take a lot of guts to do in leadership. But…they are oh so worth it! These 6 actions have given me the most traction and have boosted my ability to be more clear and inspiring in my messaging. Try one of them out and email me at jacealynh@gmail.com to let me know how it all goes! Sometimes….you just gotta stare down and get scrappy and that takes guts!
By the way, time management and developing a system for more productivity and efficiency also take a massive amount of guts! I have got a free masterclass called, Building Momentum: How To Develop A System For Productivity and Efficiency In School Leadership happening on June 12, 2021 at 10 AM MST. This class will teach you a start up and shut down system to your days, how to focus on less to get more done, and give you some hacks that will save you hours of time so you can get your life back. I hope to see you there! Click here to register for this free masterclass!
Want more? Go to my website for all the updated things happening, not to mention some free guides and templates on school leadership.
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