1) We must not confuse leadership and status. Last week I sat in a meeting surrounded by people ranked much higher than me on campus - who were also much older and have more relevant experience, yet I was leading the meeting and emerged as the leader at the table. Ironic.
2) In thinking about level 5 leaders, I wonder how these leaders make it to the top. Is it something innate that they are born with or is it a culmination of their experiences. I think it is likely a combination of both. I honestly believe that I have the ability to make it to level 5 and I have a strong desire to do so. My desire mostly stems from the bad experiences that I have had as a "constituent" and not wanting others to have that same experience. However, I struggle with the fact that I have extremely high expectations on myself and thus also on others. I work on this daily.
I think that knowing my own leadership style and knowing my biases will help me in my leadership ability and also in my research. I also think that the more that I learn about leadership the more successful I will be in my professional career. Although I do not sit at the top of the hierarchical chart, I do have an ability to take myself out of the situation and look at things through a different lens. This objectivity often helps me initiate change within my current position.
I look forward to continuing my leadership development.....it will be an ongoing project :)
Meredith. I agree with you. Leadership is not about status and is times confused for just that. It's a culmination of many things, qualities, abilities, vision, etc. Many of those variables are highlighted in the reading from last week. How does the leader impact organizational change and growth? As you begin to think about a research agenda, how would you frame a research question using the literature base on educational leadership?
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