If technology has “flattened” the world then what will “flatten” leadership?
How can we produce a flat(ter) school where everyone who wants to “plug in” can “plug in”? How can our schools become greater adapters of knowledge, skills and resources?
Of late I have become particularly interested in the concept of distributed leadership. It is one of those terms that gets kicked around and can mean different things to different people.
The distribution of leadership, as I see it, is the invitation to look outward towards shared responsibility and engaging the leadership of others. I believe it is about opening up the stage for teachers to creatively explore and participate outside the “isolated classroom of learning”. It’s about what we can learn from each other. But ultimately, it is about sharing and looking for learning together and responding to that learning. What it takes is innovation related to improving learning.
The lone principal or leader simply cannot do it all, neither does she possess all the skills and knowledge necessary. In our school for 2007-08, we are embracing an evolving model of greater distribution of leadership. What will that look like? We hope it will look different. For the moment, we have invited teachers to the circle of leadership, to explore possibilities, and to become partners in learning of targeted projects. Here is an incentive to develop a new “product”….
I would like to take the concept of distributive leadership a step further…to an innovative level … I believe we could have a break through of ideas if we can encourage each other to tap into abilities and attitudes that matter most- those that are born out of intrinsic motivation and pure passion- these are the designers of education for the future. It’s about having everyone focusing on their individual added-value!
It takes the distribution and contribution of many talents, skills, knowledge and leadership to deepen learning and sustain successful schools. Can distributed leadership be a force to “flatten” our school?
I’m all for developing vision, taking risks and conceptualizing what could be.
Who knows? It could just powerfully transform our school.
What do you know that could help or inspire us into deeper action?
3 responses so far ↓
1
stevep
// Jun 14, 2007 at 7:53 am
Shared Leadership needs to be facilitated, not required. It doesn’t need commitment at first. All it needs is a polite ‘push’ in the right direction….for example, let’s talk about Looking For Learning. It sounds great to take time out of your day to go and visit a colleague’s classroom, but in reality, is very difficult in a progressive school with pressure to perform. Once completed, one time, and the teacher is hooked. It’s a powerful thing to visit another’s classroom…to view learning from a sad-to-say, as we see if every day, ‘new perspective’….
Word of Mouth, as Gladwell recites in “The Tipping Point”, is still the most powrful tool, and of course, the mouth….be watchful and patient. 21st Century Learning is but starting, and when it hits the ‘tipping point’……
2
Diane
// Sep 23, 2007 at 4:56 am
Yes, once everyone realizes it’s “all for one and one for all” as Robin Hood and his Merry Men proclaimed, and all realize how well it works, then distributed leadership takes a hold and continues to expand to include all. I see that happening in the ES, and it’s very exciting!
3
Eric
// Jan 11, 2008 at 2:14 am
Eric…
I’m a real sucker for anything to do with accelerated learning ideas. Thanks for your post. I’m going to get back into this next month….
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