I believe that leadership is an activity, not a position. Everyone can exert leadership skills no matter where they are on an organizational chart. You don’t have to be the “team leader” in order to suggest an idea, bring a perspective, or do something that helps the group move forward to make positive progress.
This kind of leadership starts with establishing high trust and rapport in relationships with your colleagues. Listen deeply to what others say—not just at the surface level but also to their underlying message. Pose good questions from a position of curiosity and encourage others to think from multiple perspectives. Give feedback that moves people to action rather than defensiveness.
This way of being helps you become an influencer who inspires and challenges others to bring their best selves to the work. Your mindset is to help the team be collaborative and invite the members to contribute their best efforts. This perspective can be very transformative for you, your school, and your teams. It lets you step into your role of informal leader with a sense of confidence and courage.
The beauty of being an informal leader is that others begin to see you as an “expert”– not because you give them the answers to their issues, but because you caused them to think more deeply and more analytically about their own ideas so that really good solutions arise. They feel empowered and needed in order to get the work done.
This kind of leadership seeks to develop the strengths and interests of others. It is not one person who determines success; it is the group which creates success. This engenders a culture of continuous improvement and shared pride in achievements.
As the school year begins, in what ways will you “show up” as a leader?
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