“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” – Joe Paterno
Despite all the challenges we face as educational leaders, there are still numerous inspirational forces within our schools and district networks. One such inspiration is a belief in process and to outcomes. How do we help ourselves and other leaders become more effective and efficient?
To this day I still recall the voice of a particularly good mentor who would always remind me to “trust the process”. It is the same reminder I hear in my study of “Analytic Processes” and from other wiser colleagues. Like Luke Skywalker’s ability to “trust the force” teacher leaders who trust process become more efficient and capable as leaders. In their recent book 10 Skills for Successful School Leaders, NASSP, 2010, used a process circle to guide action.
The authors suggest that at the heart of any school initiative lies a focus on individual development for every member of every team. The circle can also guide the analysis and assessment of a leader’s needs and strengths as well.
They contend that school leaders should be the model and driving force in the school or network behind personal development, professional learning and school improvement initiatives.
The effective leader uses the steps in the “processes circle” for these contexts and must develop capacity and abilities with each step of the process. According to them each step has a skill set that can be developed or improved and therefore mastery at each step can guide a school plan or an individual’s “Professional Growth Plan.”
For more in depth discussion and analysis of the steps in the process refer to: 10 Skills For Successful School Leaders; NASSP, 2010
“Complacency is the last hurdle standing between a team and its potential greatness.” – Pat Riley
