A Reader Writes... (Anonymous Letters - Part 6)

In response to the posts on Anonymous Letters, a reader writes:

“Good luck on finding a ‘Brezina type’ leader. I have only worked for one who was close to the archetype and accept for a personal tragedy that would break any man, I never saw him weaken. Every other Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent that I have worked for have paled in comparison to that man and Brezina. As Cain points out, Brezina always walks the talk. Most leaders like to think that they do, up until it is inconvenient to do so. What is inconvenient? For some it may be an anonymous letter, for others it may be whispers heard at church on Sunday. What is your breaking point? Have you been tested by fire? Have you ever had to fall on your sword? If yes, you are not unlike the old school LYS clan.

Does your breaking point leave kids vulnerable? We know that everyone will breaks at some point, but if your breaking point is so low that it will put kids at risk, get out of leadership roles.”

SC Response
This post touches on one of the reasons why the modern principalship is such a great incubator of true leadership. Accountability forces you to choose between the greater good (student success) and the path of least resistance (adult comfort). Those who choose the greater good, move from the ranks of manager to leader. And the skills and experiences gleaned through the actualization of that course of action translate in subsequent jobs and positions. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. That is why I am always initially suspect of the central office administrator who was promoted from a stagnant or declining campus. Sometimes that person made the best of a no win situation (a good thing). Sometimes they were simply demoted up (the worst thing).

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...