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Earlier this week I had a chance to connect with a head of school I really respect in Shanghai. We’re preparing for an upcoming presentation together at the EARCOS conference in Malaysia. I asked him a few questions about his leadership philosophy and one thing that stood out to me was the statement that “a leader must constantly be learning and developing, otherwise they’ll stifle the learning of the others in the institution…or in other words, they’ll put a lid on learning” (paraphrase). What do you think, is this true? Does a learned leader become a greater catalyst for learning? Or is it also true that a narrow minded leader can help spark a race for more knowledge? What do you think?
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Andy, Thanks for the question and the forum.
My experience leads me to the conclusion that a learning leader helps to cultivate learning within the organization. A learning leader challenges me to keep abreast and add to the healthy dialogue about pedagogy, best practice, latest research, global citizenship, data use… I am brought back to an analogy I have used many times – a school is like a cruise ship. Before leaving port the captain and crew need to ensure that it is safe for customers, well resourced and that the food and rooms are prepared. Good schools float and are safe. Great schools set a course and ensure all members of the community know where they are headed and why. Let’s face it – education can be considered conservative, it can take a while to change direction of a ship. Captains lead courageously. Continuous learning feeds the direction, mission and vision.
Hi Garth, thanks for the comment. I’ve never been on a cruise ship, but have always wanted the opportunity to order both main courses (or so I’ve heard one can do). Maybe that’s an added point to your analogy. A learned leader invites others to the table to pig out on learning together…does that make sense. I agree that working in an environment where a leader encourages learning is ideal. Yet, it also assumes some vulnerability, since learning essentially is an admission of “I don’t know.” I’m comfortable saying these words, because I’m young enough that people don’t expect me to know. I think it can get harder with age and experience. In your experiences do you see the style of leadership you’ve described as common or not so much? Do you hear “I don’t know” often?