When I think of great manager there are three that I think about and all of them share some of the same characteristics:
1. Courage and self-confidence: they had enough confidence in themselves and in some cases those around them to risk trying someith new. To try things outside the box.
2. Listening and questioning skills: Their doors were always open to discuss new ideas or brainstorm solutions to problems. They weren't afraid to ask the hard questions and were willing to truly listen to others input.
3. When they needed, they were willing to take the lead and do what needed to be done for the benefit of all even if unpopular or unwelcome. They lead by example.
Example: I worked at a school site where the adminstrator decided it was time to really address the students taht had the ability to succeed but weren't being successful. At three different staff meetings she brought this up for discussion asking for input. Once she had received input, she formed a committee to come up with a plan to address the needs of these students. The plan was to create four small self-contained 8th grade classes (20 per class maximum) where not only academics were focused on but citizenship and personal reflection. The teachers of these classes were given the freedom to deliver the curriculum in ways that engaged the students. So the teachers go together and developed a merit system that resulted in weekly rewards (free movie friday for those that completed all their work with pizza, sundaes etc) and monthly rewards (overnight camping trips, trips to movies etc). When the plan was originally presented there were many nay sayers and road blocks put in place. The adminstrator was able to come up with solutions to the roadblocks and asked the nay sayers to give the program a chance. The program was a success. The nay sayers in the first month of school went from bad mouthing the program to rejoicing about the fact that they were able to teach as the discipline issues had decreased dramatically within their classrooms. But more importantly the students participating in the program enjoyed academic and personal success. They learned not only academics but also self-motivation, control and self-discipline. In fact, they came to the teachers after meeting together to ask to have lunch in the classroom or outside the classroom on the grass because they realized that when they ate lunch with the rest of the school they got into trouble. They recognized the problem and came up with a solution. Even though the program was a success and benefitted all the superintendent of the district transferred the adminstrator to another site because they had dared to try something new and overcome all hurdles put in their way!! When asked if they would move forward with the program if they knew the outcome, they indicated they would because the end result was worth the fight for change!!
For me it tells me I need to be strong and keep my eye on the end goal. There will always be those opposed to change or doing things differently, and I need to be willing to move forward with the plan for change. I need to listen to the concerns, address them to the best of my ability, and modify the plan if needed, but always keeping my eye on the end goal. I need to be willing to take risks, stand up for what I believe is right, and examine continously what I do and how it affects the ulitmate outcome. Only by doing this can I become an affective leader.
