First, congratulations to Jennifer and Randall on their marriage in Dallas on the 13th. I can not go to Dallas next weekend but we can celebrate with her in our next class. May God bless your relationship.
Bennis writes, "The one thing a president needs above all is the truth. all of it, all the time, and it is the one thing a president is least likely to get from his assistants, if they are cut from the same cloth." Obviously, one can substitute principal, director, or any other leadership position for the word president in the quote above. Do leaders have to surround themselves with people who have the same core values? The answer may be yes, however, leaders must also surround themselves with people who have different strengths, perspectives and who are "smart enough to know the truth and independent enough to speak it."
So Cohort 4, when you get your next big promotion or leadership position, who are you going to surround yourself with? People who look and talk just like you? People who always agree with you? How important will the level of trust play in your relationship with those who follow you?
Keith, I appreciate the question you proposed. I have found that sometimes those we "hang" with are who we may want to be but later realized they aren't who we should be. It's an eye-opener! Setting ones self apart from these we thought were what we needed is tough but sometimes for the best. Leadership roles can place you in tough spots of friendship.
ReplyDeleteKeith, I believe you should not surruound yourself with "yes" persons, however, you must try to align your followers with those who are willing to follow the vision. Dissenter who do not believe in the vision and are not willing to come around can be stiffling and obstructive. It is good to have different perspective in any organization. This is how new change and growth potential is encouraged. I find that if I pray about those who I want to have on my team, God will give me the spirit of discernment to decide who will enhance and who will attempt to tear down.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful post Keith. When I choose an assistant principal, I try to choose someone that has the same core values, but a different skill set. I always tell them, "I can do me", I need someone to balance my strengths and weaknesses. For the organization I think this has worked well. Personally, it is often times a challenge, becuase our differences bring about conflict. On the other hand I try to hire an office staff that is more similar to me in way of work, but that have skills we need for the job. And then finally, I need mentors and colleagues around me that will listen to me, be honest and frank and inspire or challenge me. I've been really fortunate over the years to have amazing people surrounding me, teaching me, befriending me and setting me straight. I think our cohort will prove to be a meaningful group of friends and colleagues. You already are. I appreciate you.
ReplyDeleteYou have really stirred up a hornet's nest with this one. It is somethng we must confront and struggle with and make wise decisions. It is a lot like what we have been talking about in transnational leadership--respecting differences and embracing them while holding on to our own core values.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Keith. I agree with everyone here. I think you need to build your team around accomplishing the campus goals, balancing everyone's strengths, and with people who are ethical.
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