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.
ARTICULATION
I have a penchant for smart people. I like talking to them. I like reading them. I like watching them do smart things.
One of the things smart people do so very well is explain. Smart people illustrate complex issues clearly. They break down difficult questions so all can understand. They pull apart challenging concepts and make them accessible.
Good leaders are able to clearly articulate things. They explain who they are, why they are the leader and what it all means. They build understanding of their initiatives. They bring those they lead in with their clarity.
Leaders who cannot articulate their plans, ideas, programs and philosophies are not going to be particularly successful. What good does it do to have amazing goals if one cannot articulate them in a way that makes sense?