The Vault presents prior posts from Teach & Serve.
Pride
Pride.
Effective Leaders must have a healthy amount of pride and they must have a substantial ego to go along with it. One does not become a leader without a relatively robust opinion of oneself. The slings and arrows with which one inevitably contends means that one must have a centered view of self and armor to deflect and shield.
However, leaders who wish to remain connected and close to their faculties, staffs and students should be careful.
We know pride goeth before the fall.
There are many psychological challenges good leaders face. There are many ways the very act of leadership can play tricks on good leaders. Excellent leaders tend to produce excellent results. They often have their staffs and schools operating at high levels. They typically enjoy success in their work and initiatives. They are congratulated. They are praised.
Each of these things can lead to a burgeoning pride.
And that is fine. Pride, kept in appropriate context and measure, is necessary for good leadership.
An overabundance of pride is not.
Just as effective leaders must intentionally blend the challenges of work and personal life, they must also strike a balance in pride. Too little can lead to weak leadership. Too much often leads to overbearing leadership.
Pride is good. It is important. It should be monitored appropriately.