Great leaders aren’t born.
To become a great leader requires practice, repeated failure, study, and, yes, training. Just like great teaching, leading is not something you just wake up being able to do.
I’m wrapping up my third of five days of intensive leadership training today. Twenty years into a career in teaching and leading, it’s worth asking why I’m giving up two of only a few uncommitted fall weekends to undergo this training.
And of course, the answer is that I can grow as a leader, become a better guide for the people in my care. Taking the time to continue to work on my own skills is the best way to ensure I can empower everyone I teach.
I’m a much better leader than I was 20 years ago. I want to keep getting better.