Leaders do not fail because they lack knowledge, skill or technique. Rather they fail because there is a lack of nerve and the presence to stand firm in the midst of other people’s emotional anxiety. A great leader has the ability to discern and safely navigate the emotional climate of the organization. One key variable, defined by Friedman, is a leaders presence. A leader who is well differentiated has a strong sense of self and can separate emotions while remaining connected. One aspect of a differentiated leader that resonated most with me is that the leader recognizes that true long-term change requires discomfort and you have to lead others through this discomfort toward change. As leaders we will either take on the chronic anxiety of thee organization, or they will transform that anxiety by their calm well-defined presence.
Over the last few weeks I have learned that leading organization change starts with me. Before I can have crucial conversations I must become a well-differentiated leader. I chose to focus on becoming a well-differentiated leader before having crucial conversations because this will be most helpful in implementing my innovation plan. My plan requires teachers to implement blended learning into their classroom. Implementing blended learning will allow students to have choice, voice, ownership, and authenticity in their learning.
This task will not be simple, it will take time to garner support and to fully implement blended learning in all classrooms. The book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High dives into the importance aspects of crucial conversations. Conversations are considered crucial if the stakes are high, opinions differ and emotions are strong. Goals will not be achieved unless these conversations are had. You must start with the heart and make sure everyone knows why the conversation is taking place. The purpose of both the innovation plan and the crucial conversation is to improve the learning environments of our students. In order to be successful implementing any change you must win over the hearts and minds of the people involved.
Educational Leadership 