Distributive Leadership and School

Distributive leadership is alive and well at my school.  We participate in distributive leadership on a daily basis.  My principal leads us with an overview on how to accomplish a goal, but the freedom on how to reach the goal.  Professional learning teams are told not to come to our principal with a problem, if we are not ready to give her a solution as well.  We have to work together to distribute responsibilities as professional learning communities in order to see the big picture and actively problem solve.  According to a former professor at Harvard University, Diamond (2007),"It's not something that you do or don't do. It's a useful analytical frame that can help you understand leadership activity in your school or district."  Our school encourages capacity and collaboration by our school's layout and the small family like environment.  We do not make sudden decisions without talking to our learning committees and using data.  We have and continue to increase our school's capacity by sharing visions, setting goals, and involving high stakeholders in our decision making process.

Leadership Theories and Styles that I Connect With ...

First of all, I didn't have a clue that there are so many theories and styles of leadership.  I used to think of leadership in a singular fashion, but I have seen the light.  I got a little confused with all of the leadership styles and theories at first because there are so many. 

After reading about the leadership theories and styles, I have come to the conclusion that I identify more with the contingency theory of leadership.  I believe that leadership roles and behaviors can and need to change in varying situations.  Furthermore, I identify with the servant leadership and quiet leader styles.  I enjoy helping others accomplish their goals and find it fulfilling.  Moreover, I am not a quiet person but related to the quiet leader style.  I will put others needs before mine if it will helps the great good of an organization or group.  

Most school is in need of contingency theories of leadership because of the nature of education and the demands put on teachers.  My school tends to be competitive and not supportive.  Using servant and quiet leadership styles will help my school collaborate and support one another on a regular basis.  

Power Dynamic - Singular

My school is a very small urban charter school which is lead by our Principal and companies CEO.  We do not have an assistant principal or dean this year.  Our principal makes all of our decisions with input from trusted staff members and the CEO.  Our CEO runs 3 other schools and has the four schools communicating with each other often.  Our school is the most successful school out of the four.  Most of the decisions are made by my principal and the others schools have to adhere to the new decisions.  Our principal is a fast spaced, direct, and competitive leader.  She has high expectations for her staff and students. 

It has taken me four years to understand what my principal wants and does not want.  It has been a bumpy road for the both of us.  However, I have proven myself to my principal over the last few years and I am now one of the trusted staff members.  I have learned to ask questions in a way that my principal will respond to.  Humor is a great way to get my ideas and concerns across to her.  She likes to make decisions and suggestions, you have to let her think she made the suggestions and decisions.  You have to have think skin to work under her and not take things personally.  

Strength - based Leadership

What is strength-based Leadership?

Strength based leadership is a strategy for groups and team work. It is a way for members of a team to delegate tasks where individuals are able to use, share, and combined their talents with other team members to complete a project to the best of their ability. For instance, a team that collects and sends out large amounts of data on a daily basis needs a couple of team members who are self-disciplined, timely, and organized. Team members who have those particular talents steps up and take the lead in organizing, managing, and storing the data for the team. Meanwhile, the other team members should use their natural talents to complete other aspects of the team project.

How can strength-based Leadership help a community?

Strength-based leadership helps communities by allowing groups of individuals to work towards a goal or project where they use their natural talents to complete a task. It is a proactive way to encourage group involvement where individuals feel needed and useful. Community groups that use this strategy have committed members who enjoy volunteering their time and services, as well as, higher success rates for project completion. Last but not least, strength-based leadership groups encourage long-lasting relationships among team members.

Hopes for my Personal Leadership Class

I hope this class teaches me how to be a better leader from within.  I find myself questioning every move I make when I am placed in different leadership roles at work.  I often feel unqualified and nervous to lead or coach others at work.  People see me as a leader and I need to see myself as one.  I want to learn about  different leadership styles and how I can fuse them together to create my own style.