Teachers can be leaders. This doesn’t mean they get to call all the shots in their schools. It means that teachers can influence other teachers and even administrators, and they can help to direct the course of their schools.
Steven DeMaio wrote a post over at Harvard Business where he describes some of the leadership principles he follows as a teacher. Steven doesn’t wait to be vested with authority. He simply thinks about how he might use his everyday words and actions to influence others. The leadership he describes isn’t heavy-handed, but he is intentional about his attitude and demeanor:
“In essence, the effective informal leader is inquisitive rather than watchful.”
I’ve seen a number of teachers lead with answers and proclamations and complaints. A far more effective approach might be to lead with questions. The questions I ask reveal my values and beliefs, as well as engaging others in thinking about their own values and beliefs. A conversation about values and beliefs is a leader’s conversation, rather than an administrative conversation.
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