Managing and Leading

Leaders, by definition, must have people that are willing to follow them. Most will not follow without trust; therefore; gaining the trust of the staff should be the central focus of a school leader. Blankenstein discusses the importance of gaining trust for school administrators. Not only do administrators need to lead the staff and students, but also must have the support of the community when making some difficult decisions. Strong leaders have the potential to create environments that develop student potential to new levels.
Managers on the other hand, develop systems in which the subordinates can function at a level that keeps order. Managers do not have the impact that leaders do, nor can they accomplish goals at the same level as a leader.
While reading Blankenstein’s book, I found myself thinking about the qualities of the administrator’s I have worked for throughout my career. There were specific traits that Blankenstein pointed out that rang true when describing what makes a great leader. I thought about an interim principal that was brought in during a time of crisis. He was most definitely a breath of fresh air; he did all of the things that Blankenstein suggested to gain the trust and respect of the staff. He walked the walk, he valued our opinions, he gave us praise for things we did well, and gave us suggestions to help us improve upon our weaknesses. What was even more impressive was he was in the hall interacting with the kids between every class. He learned the names of all of the students, something the former principal hadn’t been able to do in the four years I had been there. When asked what I wanted in a new principal, I basically told the interview committee that I wished he could be hired, because for the first time I felt valued and supported by the administrator. My suggestions were not taken and once again, I found myself in a position of frustration.
There are some people who are good managers and others who are leaders. I would hope that my experiences will propel me to become a leader that is trusted and respected because they know I have their best interest in mind.