Navigating through this new adventure

Well, we are officially on our way and in the mix. We have turned in our first paper, made Bb posts, created a Blog, and finally met our last professor. WOW! This has been a busy couple of weeks.

During the past few weeks, I have been forced to reflect upon some of my leadership experiences. While I have had successes, they were overshadowed in my mind by an equal if not greater number of failures. A failure, in my opinion, is an idea or suggestion I failed to get the team to 'buy into' and try to implement. I had such an interest, and belief, in programs such as 'Number Worlds', 'Language!', or 'Positive Behavior Support'; unfortunately in my haste and excitement to present these new programs, I failed to honor some of the symbolic and political frames that were at work in my school. Even though they may have been successful programs and good for our students, the teachers refused to accept my input and the programs were never fully implemented.

What I learned and am learning, is the importance of letting those I am trying to lead understand why I am doing what I am doing. Just like our students: "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." I am going to give Professor Selke credit for that quote, although I believe she got it from somewhere else. It makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, we live in a time where many people ask, 'what's in it for me?' I will make an effort to give the information and 'sell' my ideas by empowering my staff. Does this mean I believe every idea I present will go over with amazing success and we'll join in a huge circle to sing 'Cum by ya'(sp)? Probably not, but I will get further with that approach than with previous ones.

I am also beginning to realize that some of my former administrators may have had more of a clue than I first gave them credit for having. I can see what they were trying to accomplish and I can also understand 'why' they were met with resistance. Many of my mistakes and oversights were theirs as well.

It has only been a couple of weeks. Yet, I have learned so much.

My question: How many of you have made similar discoveries about yourselves or previous administrators? and, What are you going to do with this information?

I look forward to blogging with you.
Have a great day.
Tracy