On and Off the Mountain Jessica Miller T330 Leadership Path
Where I Started Theory: Lots of ideas about leadership Practice: Equating leadership with authority Example: My first vision statement to my network Example: My SLP entrance essay – the leadership positions I held
Where I Started Feeling incompetent – can’t hold it together Letting people down in work and personal life Risk = conflict = loss
Operating Principles I need to be “perfect” before I take action. – Demonstrate competence because that gives me authority. – Avoid conflict by having it “all together.” Example: Leaving my first group at NHCS and starting a new one.
Perfection = inaction in the moment Fear Doubt Perception of lack of authority/ expertise I disagree… what will they think? How should I phrase it? I can see what’s going on, but if I say something, I might make it worse OP in Practice Think I’m on the mountain top (or balcony) looking down, but really stuck in my own thoughts and fears
Underlying Assumptions I need to be “perfect” before I take action. If I am not perfect, I won’t be liked, respected, or accepted. If I am not perfect, I risk failing. Failing is an end, not an opportunity Failing is an end, not an opportunity.
Commitment To risk “mess” and conflict by taking action in the moment.
Taking a step is taking the risk of falling. Fear Doubt Perception of lack of authority/ expertise I can see what’s going on, but if I say something, I might make it worse Taking Action Worry about hurting others is really a worry about hurting myself
Competing Commitments To feeling safe and secure To feeling competent To feeling liked
Mental Model It’s all about me. Example: The group I work with didn’t meet on the days when I wasn’t there. Intervention: Tell them that I won’t see this group as a success if it doesn’t continue without me. I’m disappointed that they don’t prioritize it. Fear: They will be hurt and feel uncomfortable They will be less likely to participate They won’t like me anymore I will be a failure
How it Affects the Work Technical vs. Adaptive – It is much easier to make things “perfect” ahead of time when doing technical tasks Espoused theory vs. theory in use -- Rescuing instead of capacity-building Modeling a fixed mindset
Sometimes you have to fall to: Realize that you’re on the wrong mountain Gain a different perspective Get back on the hike Taking Action = Taking Risks
Where I Am Now Taking steps and taking risks – Baby steps and mini-risks Example: Inviting mentor principals to next group meeting and having the teachers run the session Moving from theoretical to practice – Practice pulling myself out of my own thoughts and being grounded in the moment