So the conversation the other day touched on an interesting topic for me... the idea of building upon previous layers of knowledge and being better able to make connections.
I looked back for a view minutes in the rearview mirror of my leadership experience and had a moment of sadness. The sadness I felt was a realization that I am sometimes so busy that I forget to reflect on my leadership-life. After a tough day, it is home to the family, a glass of wine or beer and brain shut off. NO intentional building upon the layers of knowledge gained from the day. This "whoa is me" was swiftly followed by a side smile and giggle. I am so excited that I am enrolled in an EdD program and surrounded by people who ask questions and provide insights. It seems that this year's course work is, as Patrick stated, going to be about thinking and building upon the layers. I have been quite successful in my journey to the position I am in... but the past 4-6 years I have been on auto-pilot and not challenging myself to, dare I put it in print, Change.
The most important layer effect that I have seen is in my progress in k-12 language and knowledge. Before it was all "Greek" to me and I was lost in all the conversations about NCLB, etc... recently, a comfort has settled in. Finding my leadership voice in the confidence I now have in being able to follow conversations. Yay for me! But it is also funny, thinking about my leadership voice last year when I was nervous to say the wrong thing... how often is this in our daily norm? As leaders we are constantly thrown into the unknown.... maybe it is the ability to act through nervousness that separates the true leader from the wanna-be? (To be continued...)
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