School leaders need to find ways for the shirtless dancing guys to get out there in front of the rest of the staff to proclaim the good that they are doing. Everyone needs to see the innovative practices that others are doing which may help them see the potential of a new strategy. As momentum begins to build for a particular new or different strategy, more teachers may be more inclined to jump on the band wagon if they have others trying something new and different just like the followers in the video. When school leaders tell teachers to try something new without the use of a shirtless dancing guy, teachers may be more reluctant to give the new strategy their full attention.
There are times when the school leaders must be shirtless dancing guys and model new behaviors and strategies. It may take time for the first follower to jump on board, but once they do the others begin to feel more inclined to dance with the leader. Other times, the school leaders have to be the first followers and start dancing out there with the shirtless dancing guy. They may be a little uncomfortable out there in such a small group, but as other followers begin to dance a movement gains momentum and change begins to take place.
I really like this! What a great way to think about leadership! I can definitely see myself as the shirtless dancing guy already a few times this year. I really want someone to become the first follower and I think I may have a few, but that's where it stops. I have to get the momentum going. Everything in the video and everything you posted is so true of my current situation. We are trying some innovative practices at my school and I'm not sure where the buy-in is yet. I liked the part in the video that talked about not everyone having to be a leader. This is definitely something I want to keep in mind as the year goes on. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYeah. I love this video! I share it in my coaching endorsement class I am teaching for Griffin RESA. We refer to coaching light which has a lot to do with being the shirtless dancing guy and looking for those first followers!
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ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, Tim. I agree that there is an unfortunate mindset in education that teaching doesn't really change. I believe the goal of teaching was once to prepare kids for the world around them, but now we're preparing them for a world that doesn't yet exist; in order to provide them with the ability to adapt to this unforeseen world, teaching must change. I've worked in a few schools where, unfortunately, peers have uttered with disdain, "well, I hope that wasn't too much 'sage on the stage,' today"; I'm not sure where the mindset come from, but it's sad to hear comments like that. The key is to continue being that shirtless dancing guy, & in doing so, inspire others to do the same. It may not catch on with everyone, but, like teaching, you need only to light one fire & then fan it in order to make it spread.
ReplyDeleteTim, I love this video! Stealing it for my next department meeting! :-)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, though, that I feel like a good leader is a constant shirtless dancing guy, and that that is quality number one if you are going to be effective. It's tough, though, to get momentum going when you feel alone. It's equally difficult to keep the dance moves fresh when there's only 1 or 2 followers. Momentum is powerful, but it's also difficult to gain if people don't trust you enough to give your initiative a shot. Maybe it's just where I am right now, but I believe that leaders who don't try new things are destined to fail. But leaders who DO try new things, and only 1 or 2 others join in, may also need to rethink their initiative(s). That's where circumspection and a good, hard look at your new idea come into play. We definitely have to try, though!
Tim,
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I like the commentary that said the difference between a lone nut and a leader is the first follower. How we embrace the first follower determines if we get a second follower and so on. As leaders we must encourage and support our teachers who take risks and step out on a limb to help students succeed. Without teacher support, we are just lone nuts. I have seen this video before but it definitely takes on a new meaning now that I am a school leader. Thanks for sharing this!
Tim-I love this video, and often share with a course I teach on Org theory. I agree with need more of these types of leader. Another potential question you may want to think about is this:
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when that teacher leader is gathering followers in a negative way or for a negative agenda?
I think that may be as big of problem as not having leaders who step forward. Too often, one loud negative voice gains followers in a school to create a very negative culture.