Leaders

​I consider myself an educational leader.  Does that mean that I am perfect in any way?  Absolutely not! It actually means that I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.  I am constantly wondering what I can do better, how I can make better decisions, and how I can help as many people as I can while also consistently learning how to be better.  I find myself trying to be everything to everybody, even though I know it is not possible.  I have learned so much in a small amount of time about the human condition.  How different people work in different ways.  Sometimes, it is lonely at the top (as someone told me recently). 
 
But I just heard Eric Sheninger @E_Sheninger speak and he said something to let me know that I am on some type of right track. He said “You are not a leader until you have produced another leader!”  I strongly believe in that.  I tell educators that as a leader, you should want…no EXPECT those “under” you will eventually grow enough to lead on their own and leave you.  That should be a goal that you are progressing your people to become leaders or to find the leadership qualities that are already in them!  As a leader, we have to help build people up!
 
What I do not understand is why that is so scary for some people/leaders.  Why is it so scary to have someone else succeed?  Wouldn’t it be a blessing to say that someone that you trained can take your job one day and hopefully go even further than you have gone?  I truly do not understand!  But, I honestly believe in this mindset and I hope that many other leaders do too.  I will hold on to the hope that they do!   

---