Mann4Edu ​
  • Blog
  • EduGraphics
  • Communication
  • About
  • Contact

How do you decide?

4/4/2017

4 Comments

 
Picture
Over the last month or so I have been diving into this book as a part of my doctoral program at Texas A&M.
Picture
I encourage everyone to read this book, but especially those that are in leadership positions or aspire to be in leadership positions.  Here is why.  (Don’t worry, I am not going to list any spoilers here.)  The world is not black and white.  If this is a spoiler for you, I’m sorry.  It shouldn't come as a surprise.  I think if you are reading this, you already know the world is not simply black and white.
 
Once upon a time, I felt there was only black and white in this world.  I was wrong.  I was naïve in my leadership.  This book does an excellent job of making you think about the struggles of being a leader and how your decisions impact others.  This book is not based in education, but instead situations that all leaders face, ethical and moral dilemmas.
 
The struggles in the book are struggles of right vs. right decisions.  How do you know what is right when both decisions feel and seem right?  Do you base your decisions on your morals, your ethics, your conscious, your religion, your beliefs?  Or do you put yourself in the shoes of those that are being affected by your decisions and make the decisions from their lens?

As a public-school leader, do you find that your personal views come into conflict with the ethics of fighting for and supporting all students, even when their actions go against your personal views?  How do you navigate your waters as a leader?  Do you consider those that you leave in the wake of your decisions? 
 
This leadership stuff isn’t easy.  It isn't for the faint of heart.  Often, there are not right vs. wrong problems but right vs. right problems.  What do you do when you come across these problems in leadership?  When these types of problems come your way, be ready ...everyone's watching.
 
Think.  Achieve.  Succeed.
 
Jeff

I would love to hear how you work through these issues in your work.  Please feel free to share in the comments section below.
4 Comments
Sanee Bell
4/5/2017 05:28:21 am

Spot on, Jeff! The struggle is so real. Check out Leadership on the Line. It is a superb read about the perils of leadership.

Reply
Chad Lehrmann link
4/5/2017 06:26:00 am

As a teacher and an aspiring administrator, I do try to put myself in the shoes of those affected by my decisions. I try to balance high expectations with grace, and at the same time, I try to identify all possible outcomes to decisions, and considered what a student needs most, or benefit students the most.

But it is not easy, and I'm not always right. So I hope those who lead me are also trying to balance high expectations with grace, too.

Reply
Jeff
4/5/2017 08:47:30 pm

Chad,
I agree that leadership with grace is necessary because we are all human and need to be supportive of each other. You have a great group of leaders at CSHS and they will support you in your work with kids!

Reply
Kris Mitzner
4/9/2017 01:16:41 pm

Can't wait to read this but I agree totally! Hope you are doing well!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Jeff Mann

    A lifelong learner that is committed to asking questions to seek greater understandings.

    Currently I'm a doctoral student completing research on the role of voice in schools and I am the Director of Instruction and Leadership Development for a public school district in Texas.

    Previously I have served as a campus principal, assistant principal, athletic trainer and a teacher.

    Picture

    Tweets by @Mann4Edu

    Do what you can, with what you have, where you are
    ~Theodore Roosevelt

      Sign up to follow my blog.

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2021
    November 2020
    January 2019
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016


    RSS Feed

    Images & Quotes that Inspire

Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Blog
  • EduGraphics
  • Communication
  • About
  • Contact