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.
REALISTIC OPTIMISM
I write a weekly newsletter for our staff and faculty. Last year, during the pandemic, I began to put the words “Realistic Optimism” at the header of every edition. I wanted to remind myself that part of the role of a leader is to be optimistic and to help inspire the best in adults so they can do their best with students. I wanted to point to a future that would be better than the present we were negotiating.
I did not want to portray Pollyanna optimism. There were so many unknowns and so many challenges which were right in front of us. Teachers were being asked to do too many things, were pulled in too many directions and were, in some cases, barely hanging on. I wanted the optimism I was sharing to be realistic.
Hence, realistic optimism.
Realistic implies an understanding that not everything is easy and that, in any given situation, solutions may seem impossible and the darkness may seem impenetrable. Realistic implies work. It implies effort. It implies a journey.
Optimism is what a leader should convey to those she is lucky enough to lead. There are solutions even when they are not readily apparent. There is light in the darkness. We can do the work. We can make the effort. We will walk the journey.
I am a gigantic fan of Star Trek. That it remains part of culture after almost 60 years is amazing. I think one of the primary reasons it does is that, at its best, it presents a vision of the future that is positive and optimistic where cultures work together and solve problems. It is not all going to go up in flames. We will be here.
Realistic optimism is a mantra for me and a critical mindset.