I am the product of the education system I've been part of for many years, as are many of my colleagues, and whilst I might be a 'Constructive Discontent', a strength I believe, my mindset and leadership capabilities have been heavily influenced by my experiences. The False Sanctuary I talk about that may be some classrooms is not a criticism. It's a lens to view the world of schooling through a mindset. It's the educational narrative I've grown up with.
I am reluctant to name a new leadership model because as walk through the 'Leadership and Management' aisle in the local book store the panacea for 'better' leadership are abundant. In education also there are many to consider: Instructional Leadership, Imperfect Leadership, Participatory Leadership, Student-Centered Leadership, Fierce Leadership, Servant Leadership... A catchy title may sell books but there are more pressing problems for us to consider.
An important distinction for us to make is between effective leaders and successful leaders. In many education systems, the leadership paradigm is dominated by those who have successfully 'played the game' of schooling. This skillful gaming advanced careers and perceived corporate compliance, adhering to the educational rhetoric of the day, and being small 'p' political players within the system, can bring with it 'success'. These old power values help maintain the status quo. We do need to move past the drive to find efficiencies to unleash the creative genius of all concerned for the future.
I am privileged to spend time in schools and am exposed to many quality professional learning programs. What I increasingly observe are good people working hard to maintain a system of schooling that actually requires reimagining. We invest too much to seek improvement and efficiency but must show up differently if the problems facing humanity are to be overcome. If we show up the same way as we have in the past, nothing will change. We will just get better at exhausting ourselves.
What we need from our future leaders is that they are led by learning. And we learn by being curious, deeply listening to others, by doing, experimenting and discovering.
Next: Leaders as Learners
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