Even up against the child’s home and early indoctrination and education via parents, early grade teachers are given an awesome amount of power to influence a child’s attitude and behavior. This may be positive or negative and why it is essential that teachers understand and accept that they are also leaders and role models to their students. Neither of which are surface roles, but who they are at their core.
It’s one thing to teach a subject like reading and math, but a completely different thing to lead and to be the exemplar Leader and Role Model. A teacher leaves the books and blackboard, but no true leader and role Model leaves being this any more than they leave their skin. No scripted role, no costume, but this throughout their being.
As I have written time and time again quality leaders lead by being Present, they hear what is being said, they do their best to understand what is being said and seek clarity when necessary. They confirm the speaker. The speaker knows they are heard and understood. The leader is candid in their response to the speaker and do not pretend agreement. Leaders want dialogue between equals and do not seek false agreement. Quality leaders want understanding and set aside their power and influence in order to empower others and why dialogue, not monologue happens. An openness and receptivity is felt by all.
If growth and empowerment is what the leader wants of her people they are genuine is their efforts to provide this. On the other hand, Leaders that value power over others are unable to hide their true intentions and domination rules their behavior.
No one is fooled. Playing to the will of those that love and abuse power is a game everyone loses including the leader who lulls themselves into believing they win. No one wins in the game of “power.” Sy
I want you to “be.”———Not me, but to be just you———We are now double.