Comments on: The Tao of Leadership http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/ (bôr'dər-lănd') n. Located on or near a frontier. An indeterminate area or condition. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:51:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Miss Profe http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-25421 Miss Profe Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:48:06 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-25421 I guess I should have read your post, Doug, before tagging you again for the same meme! Sorry! (sheepish grin). Anyway, I think that there is a culturally accepted belief re: leaders. We evoke the big names, and then feel powerless because we cannot be who they were, or achieve what they have achieved. And, yet, leadership doesn't have to be manifested in an MLK, or a Patton, or a Jesus Christ. We all lead in our own way, when it is necessary. Which is why it is so unfortunate that so many wonderful teachers leave the classroom to become principals. This is what our culture tells us we should do. In order to evoke real change, we must move up and out; for a lateral move, or worse yet, to remain in the classroom, shows no growth, no motivation, no aspiration for real leadership. We need to change our collective thinking about success and leadership. I guess I should have read your post, Doug, before tagging you again for the same meme! Sorry! (sheepish grin).

Anyway, I think that there is a culturally accepted belief re: leaders. We evoke the big names, and then feel powerless because we cannot be who they were, or achieve what they have achieved. And, yet, leadership doesn’t have to be manifested in an MLK, or a Patton, or a Jesus Christ. We all lead in our own way, when it is necessary. Which is why it is so unfortunate that so many wonderful teachers leave the classroom to become principals. This is what our culture tells us we should do. In order to evoke real change, we must move up and out; for a lateral move, or worse yet, to remain in the classroom, shows no growth, no motivation, no aspiration for real leadership. We need to change our collective thinking about success and leadership.

]]> By: susan funk http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-25087 susan funk Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:22:52 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-25087 I was talking with my graduate superviser the other day about leadership. I mentioned taht some day I would need to be a principal just so that I would be able to extend my influence and not get embittered by my lack of control. She said to me that there are many ways to lead. Not all leaders are in positions of leadership, I think was how she put it. I see how you are a leader to teachers, Doug. I learn so much from the things you share, the way you process what you read and advocate for excellent reflective teaching practice. You extend my own learning and challenge me to think about things in a new way. Thanks for blogging. I was talking with my graduate superviser the other day about leadership. I mentioned taht some day I would need to be a principal just so that I would be able to extend my influence and not get embittered by my lack of control. She said to me that there are many ways to lead. Not all leaders are in positions of leadership, I think was how she put it.

I see how you are a leader to teachers, Doug. I learn so much from the things you share, the way you process what you read and advocate for excellent reflective teaching practice.

You extend my own learning and challenge me to think about things in a new way.

Thanks for blogging.

]]> By: Bruce Schauble http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-24952 Bruce Schauble Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:53:45 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-24952 I like the line you quote from the Tao Te Ching (which is one of my all-time favorite texts as well) that says "A leader is best when people barely know that he exists." I like this passage as well (from 22) Not putting on a display, They shine forth. Not justifying themselves, They are distinguished. Not boasting, They receive recognition. Not bragging, They never falter. They do not quarrel, So no one quarrels with them. Therefore the ancients say, "Yield and overcome." Is that an empty saying? Be really whole And all things will come to you. I like the line you quote from the Tao Te Ching (which is one of my all-time favorite texts as well) that says “A leader is best when people barely know that he exists.”

I like this passage as well (from 22)

Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say, “Yield and overcome.”
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole
And all things will come to you.

]]> By: Miguel Guhlin http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-24622 Miguel Guhlin Tue, 06 Feb 2007 20:05:42 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-24622 Wow, great entry. I love the insights into dog-sledding that you share. And, thanks for reminding us of the Tao of Leadership. Best wishes, Miguel Guhlin Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net http://www.mguhlin.net Wow, great entry. I love the insights into dog-sledding that you share. And, thanks for reminding us of the Tao of Leadership.

Best wishes,

Miguel Guhlin
Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net
http://www.mguhlin.net

]]> By: Kimberly Moritz http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-24547 Kimberly Moritz Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:10:39 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/05/the-tao-of-leadership/#comment-24547 Doug--Every time you post on Borderland, you're leading. Most definitely "leader" material. The motivating, persuading, changing part--that's just what we do to get something done. Nice answer. Doug–Every time you post on Borderland, you’re leading. Most definitely “leader” material. The motivating, persuading, changing part–that’s just what we do to get something done. Nice answer.

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