The power of an effective leader was certainly on display this week. One article I read today said that more than 60% of the world’s population is estimated to have watched or listened to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth. People queued for 12 or more hours just to walk past her coffin. Leaders from across the world arrived in London to attend the state funeral. What can we learn from her?
First, step up and bring your all to the work you are leading. She understood the expectations for her role and worked within those expectations to build a bridge between tradition and change. What feedback on how to shape a vision or navigate change can we give to young leaders?
Second, look for opportunities to use your influence for the greater good. She was a Girl Guide at age 11 and continued to serve as a patron throughout her life. She understood the importance of providing girls with experiences to be out in nature, accomplish goals, and work through challenges as a team. As adult leaders, are we intentionally creating opportunities for our students of all ages to lead around their own interests and passions? How do we build partnerships with community organizations like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Kiwanis Key Clubs that can lead to mentorships and new opportunities to lead for our students? Do we search out our own opportunities to lead work that we are passionate about?
Third, be present. Interview after interview, people shared that the Queen listened. The Queen asked questions. The Queen made them feel comfortable. How do we help young leaders see the importance of building relationships? What are the “moves” a skilled leader makes to make those around them feel valued or heard? We need to model these moves, and call them out when we see students using them so they can then begin to develop these necessary skills. Students need regular opportunities to practice these moves. This is very different from typical group work or class discussion.
Fourth, know your own strengths and blind spots. The Queen was confident. She certainly wasn’t going to lose her position as Queen. That being said, she also built a vast network of individuals from many walks of life who had skills, knowledge or perspectives that she was able to tap into. She just as easily could have surrounded herself with courtiers who only agreed with her. What opportunities do we give our students to reflect on their strengths as leaders, then network with others who can help them accomplish their goals? How do we directly teach networking as a skill? What are you doing to expand your own network?
Finally, be true to who you are. Helping students see the power in authenticity may be one of the most important leadership lessons we can model for them.
Resources To Spark Your Thinking
Everyone can do math. Help students be STEM leaders by breaking the myth that there are “math people” and “not math people”
Everyone Can Learn Maths - Jo Boaler
One way to teach leadership is to take time to break down what someone else has done as a leader and reflect on how they accomplished it. Kids need to be able to see other kids being leaders. TED Talks - under 20 https://www.ted.com/playlists/129/ted_under_20
Relational Leadership - AASA article
- Changing Perspectives - How I Define Myself As A Teacher Leader - US. Dept of Ed.