leaders .as. learners

A quote from the book “Influencer: The Power to Change Anything” sums up the strength that being part of the Washington State Leadership Academy brings to each district.
“…we often underestimate the need to learn and actually practice a vital behavior….Leaders make this mistake when they send employees to an intensive day of training that consists of flipping through a binder or listening to engaging stories – but not actually trying any of the skills being taught. Participants mistakenly assume that knowing the content and doing it are one and the same.” (2008)
As with any type of learning, we need to understand the concept. But to truly learn something, we need to be doing/practicing/implementing that learning. This includes reflection on our own actions as well as specific and measurable feedback from others as to how we are doing. Completing the Cycle of Inquiry as a team in our districts and in our schools gives us a strength of implementation that can be otherwise lost.
My questions for you today are:
• “What have you learned from the Leadership Academy work that you are implementing?”
• “Who is giving you feedback on that implementation?”
• “Are you giving feedback to another person?”
• “How do you know that what you are doing is making a difference in the lives of students?”

My challenge for you today is:
• Reflect on your learning from the Leadership Academy and find ways to implement that learning for the growth of yourself, your staff, and your students. Go from Knowing something to Doing something that makes a difference in the lives of your students.