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.
COLLABORATION
As an English teacher, I am a nerd for language. I love the term “collaboration” because the roots of it are “co” and “labor.”
All too often, in my experience, leaders fall into the trap that they are the one-and-only person who can get the work done. They are the ones who carry the labor.
It could be I am looking in a mirror as I compose this post, but I do not believe I am alone in this unfortunate leaning as a leader. I have heard myself say “it would take me longer to explain this than to do it myself” or listened to the voice in my head saying “this has to be done right – you do it.”
These are problematic perspectives for all kinds of reasons, not the least of which is they stifle collaboration.
Sharing in the work in all aspects from the beginning of a process to the end brings people in leadership. It invites them to share in the journey. It engages them in the labor of the school. It states, very clearly in a way that words rarely do, that the leader is sharing power and authority and that others are trusted.
Is true collaboration time consuming? Yes. Does true collaboration need to be defined in almost each instance it is utilized? Yes. Does true collaboration carry risk? Yes.
But good leaders know when to use this tool. They know how to use this tool. Bad leaders are afraid of it.