Years ago, I was blessed to be in a position to hold seminars with groups of educators designed to discuss and build leadership skills both informally and formally, internally – for the individual and externally for the school. As we discussed leadership skills and qualities, we would talk about new tools being put in our toolboxes as leaders. This year in Teach & Serve, I have decided to talk about many of those tools.
ORGANIZATION
The strengths people bring to leadership are many. Their ability to lead well rests in these strengths. The weaknesses that can short circuit their efficacy do not have to be as numerous. One or two significant gaps can put their work at risk.
A lack of organization is one of these.
Organization might be both the most oblivious and the most overlooked tool I have written about thus far in this volume of Teach & Serve.
Many of the tools are difficult to learn. Some may argue that leaders have innate talents which are not tools at all, but are personality characteristics. That is an interesting thought I will delve into at some point. My belief is that most of the tools of leadership can be taught. I spent years trying to do so.
Organization is one of those. It requires planning. It requires discipline.
Leaders who are organized tend to develop structures and workplaces that are, likewise, organized. Despite what some believe, organization is not the enemy of inspiration. Organization allows inspiration to flourish and gives it space to take root. When systems are not organized and the basic functions of the community are not addressed in a timely and routinized manner, there is no space for inspiration. There is only space for chaos and putting out fires.
Organization from the top of the system provides structure and confidence. It is a tool most good leaders possess. And it can be learned, sharpened and honed.
I have worked with leaders who were not particularly organized. I found them to be not particularly successful.