While talking to Mrs. Lyon she came to the conclusion of four main traits she thought she possessed as a leader: she listens, is consistent, has a vision, and is inclusive. Although she possesses these traits Mrs. Lyon believes like many that she was born to lead but had to cultivate her skills with mentors. During her 22 year career she has been able to observe how others lead, find mistakes and learn from it. This is what has brought her to where she is today. Mrs. Lyon believes that being able to continue to lead granted a lot of opportunities, but she does not believe she has had one big successful moment but a collective success. She also thinks it’s a success that people see her as a leader, and one that can be trusted. Like Mrs. Lyon I don’t think that while being a leader there is one defining moment that is ones biggest success but a building of great occurrences that lead to ones over all success. In this process there must be some failure. Mrs. Lyon does not think of her lessons as failures but as that of lessons. She thinks not speaking up early enough about wanting to lead delayed her path to being a leader. For example she went to her own head of school half way in to career and wanted something more with her career. Her mentor said she has been waiting for her to come but knew when she was ready she would. This caused Mrs. Lyon to have a slow rise instead of being proactive and making it to the top faster. In my eyes I think those that make it to the top to fast are those that crumple and fall the fastest. This is some process in becoming a great leader and that takes time. Mrs. Lyon knows she doesn’t have all the answers but is there to guide conversations. It is not just her upper school, but everyone’s upper school, not just ones ownership, she believes everyone has the right to feel ownership. Mrs. Lyon has taught me that it’s ok to be a late bloomer as a leader but it’s not ok to stand by and not take action when you know you can make a difference. Being a leader is a process to be cherished not mocked, I believe it’s a privilege not a right.
Elianah, this appears to have been a very rich and profitable conversation. I was most intrigued by the discussion path regarding the timeline one takes in assuming a titled leadership position (remembering that one can lead from many different seats). Mrs. Lyon also touched on a couple of K & P's four traits (honesty - somewhat, when she talked about listening and being trusted, and vision, which K & P would call inspiring).
ReplyDeleteAs you continue your posts, please proof for grammar and structure. You have some sentences needed commas and some possessives needing apostrophies (ones should be one's, for example).
Thanks for your thoughtful contributions in class!