When I transitioned out of the classroom and into the role of instructional coach, I was eager to learn how to be a teacher leader without coming across as a pushy know-it-all. Coincidently, during this time, members of my #PLN, or professional learning community, were starting a book study of the text “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown. I wanted to join in, but I was nervous. No, I was highly intimidated! The group consisted of supervisors, principals, directors, and even an assistant superintendent. Their titles evoked a sense of insecurity that was foreign to me. I did not feel my experiences would allow me to relate or engage in the discussion. I bought the book, joined the group, and immediately thought, “What did I just do?”
When the book study group met, I faced another dilemma: How could I show up, without letting them know that I felt like a fraud? Should I even share my thoughts? Should I just nod in agreement? Should I bring a bag of Halls and pretend like it hurts to talk? I’d have to come up with something clever. To my surprise, the group was not as intimidating as I thought it would be (I blame overthinking, again). Sure, they had these fancy leader titles, but they were eager learners… just… like… ME.
That experience brought forth a sense of enlightenment. I learned the power of being open and honest with myself and others. There, I also realized that leadership is not about knowing ALL… THE… THINGS, nor is it about dictating expectations and enforcing rules. I learned that leaders continuously learn and grow as they strive to improve their leadership practice and build their teams. To my surprise, while I did not yet have a formal leadership title, I could participate by sharing my insights and being open about my experiences. I learned from the group, and I’d like to think that the group learned from me, too.
Those considering a transition into leadership need to know that openness is a critical leadership skill. You have to be open and honest with yourself. Reflecting on your experiences, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses, and creating your personal growth and development plan will help you continuously improve your skill sets.
Openness is just as crucial if you are in a leadership position. Being open and transparent with your teams helps facilitate positive work and learning environments. Keep your teams informed of the “why” or reasons behind certain decisions. Be humble about things you may not have the answers to YET. While this idea may seem daunting, your teams will appreciate your honesty. For tips on fostering openness, check out Leadership Tip: How to Foster Openness and Transparency.
Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,
Elaine Margarita
PS. In case you are wondering, I brought a bag of cherry-flavored Halls cough drops to the book study meeting. It was the perfect backup plan!
Leaders GLOW UP 