I feel the Leading from any Chair chapter was very easy for any teacher to relate to. Everyday my students analyze everything I say and do. My attitudes are a direct reflection of the atmosphere of the class and learning environment. I need to ensure I provide an atmosphere where students feel secure and are respected.
Just like Zander asked each chair to be a leader to their partner, I thrive with the opportunities when the students can become the teacher. With the consistent changing of technology many times the best way to stay on top of the current trends is having the students teach me.
Rule number 6 was a little harder for me to implement. I often times like to be in control, set goals and achieve them. Success is defined from achieving the goal. After reading the chapter and listening to the stories and strategies to allow the central self to become the leading voice and not the calculating self, the rule became more clear. When Zander stated “..the role of the facilitator is to promote human development and transformation rather then to find a solution that satisfies the demands of the ever- present calculating selves.”
I have always been a person who looks on the bright side of things. I believe God will not give us any obstacles we cannot overcome. The challenges we face makes us stronger; so these challenges are really a blessing. What I liked best about this chapter was Zander stating how important it is to allow for mistakes. Zander said, “If we include mistakes in our definition of performance, we are likely to glide through them and appreciate the beauty of the longer run.”
Recently I was on a job interview committee. When interviewing the final two candidates we saw two completely different personalities. The first person was tense, but thorough; he was a person who dots all their “i’s” and crosses all their “t’s”. The second candidate was more laid back and very personable. Our committee agreed to hire the second candidate. A few weeks after he was hired, I asked him how he was so relaxed in the interview. He said even though it was extremely important for him to get this job, he said to himself, “I am going to just be myself for this interview. I am going to act like it doesn’t matter or not if I get this job.” By letting go his true personality shown through and got him the job. I wish I had this strength to just let things go and allow fate to take charge.
Cherie,
ReplyDeleteWe all seem to have picked those most poignant ideas. Teachers should all easily relate to leading from any chair, but I know some of our local teachers don't really lead from the front of the room and therefore don't allow others the opportunity to either. Naturally, those are not the best teachers, but they do exist, unfortunately.
I agree that rule #6 is a little harder to implement. Although I think I have a pretty darn good sense of humor, I know there are times when I take life way too seriously. I encourage my students to accept their mistakes as opportunities to learn, but am not nearly so forgiving of my own mistakes.
All the times we have worked together throughout this program I have admired you. You always have everything so together and regardless of the troubles you carry a smile on your face. I think you have the strength to take you anywhere you want to go in life and with the ideas from this book.
What a great story about the interviewee! I think I have mentioned this before, but I am also a type A personality and like a good degree of control. Not taking things so seriously is something I continually have to work at too. But I must say, in those moments I do let go and open myself up to experiences/mistakes, I am amazed at how much I learn and grow.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think of it this way... Is is better to consistently good (no mistakes) or occasionally brilliant (growing from mistakes).