My Leadership Style

   My leadership style is situational, but I rarely resort to authoritarianism because I believe deeply in win-win thinking and democratic leadership.  I also identify as a servant to the community I lead.  I have always seen myself as a facilitator, even when in positions of leadership or as a teacher.  

   I believe in the evolution of thought and that new research and ways of thinking change "best practices" over time. Thus, I am quite open to change and am passionate about new ideas that have the potential to help students.  However, I am not quick to jump on making any changes, especially second-order changes, without first analyzing its potential impacts in the context of the school and discussing it with stakeholders.   I believe in involving all stakeholders in the analysis, planning, and execution of change and consider them important co-producers of the school culture. If they are not motivated by something, even when presented with evidence of the benefit it could bring, then I would consider whether or not to even attempt it, even if I believe it would be great. In this regard, I consider myself a transformational leader with the ability to engage and gauge buy-in and react accordingly.   

     I believe in distributive leadership, collective efficacy and Synergistic Leadership Theory.  All of these increase the level of stakeholder engagement and help dissolve the top-down model, which, I believe inhibits collaboration and potential for transformation.  These practices start with the school leader, but should also be employed by faculty committees, the PTA and in the classroom with students, in an age-appropriate way.