91制片

To call yourself a fisherman, you need intention, a routine and a consistent set of behaviors. The same can be said of education leaders who seek successful results. Except that leadership is no hobby.

A Fleeting Fancy

I find it frustrating when school leaders go to a state conference, pat themselves on the back and act as if they have 鈥渢he formula鈥� for success all figured out, then return to their school district with a 鈥渙ne-hit wonder.鈥�

To me, a one-hit wonder (a phrase borrowed from Top 40 radio) is a feeble attempt at hitting a home run with some new program for changing staff behavior or improving performance inside a fancy (but temporary) wrapper that鈥檚 intended to bowl over your staff.

Every year, wide-eyed administrators and teachers bring home one-hit wonders from their professional conferences and workshops as answers to whatever instructional issue needs to be addressed. Yet schools never change with a one-hit wonder. Every year, there is another Irene Cara, the performer best known for her one mega-hit, 鈥淔lashdance ... What a Feeling,鈥� from the movie of the same name. Here today, gone tomorrow 鈥� but not a performance of lasting effect.

On the other hand, consider an influential musical group like U2, the Irish rock band with anthem-like sound built on the expressive vocals of their lead singer Bono. Now that鈥檚 an intentional, routine, consistent performer. Through the past four decades, you know their program and value their quality over time. They keep striking the same resonant chords.

In education, researchers such as Michael Fullan, Douglas Reeves and Eric Sheninger have provided time-tested examples for focusing on leadership that can initiate and sustain change.

Change Seeking

I admit I love Irene Cara鈥檚 song. Her message is a timeless value statement. Don鈥檛 look for one magical formula, she says 鈥� or even the one fishing hole that everyone swears by.

I鈥檓 left with these thoughts about change-seeking in K-12 education:

禄 Let your passion guide you as a leader.

禄 Commit to what fires you up the most.

禄 Take your leadership extremely personally.

禄 Teach yourself to be intentional, routine and consistent with your endeavors.

You don鈥檛 need to pursue the same themes or adopt the program vehicles everyone else does. You won鈥檛 become good at fishing by seeking a one-hit wonder. Fish for good ideas and reel in the ones that matter most to become a relentless, focused and committed leader.

 This column is adapted from the author鈥檚 blog Planting Seeds @ Graham.