As most of the western hemisphere’s children return to school for another year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate our educators, and in particular what they can teach us all about human leadership, particularly during challenging times!
One of the most important things I have learnt over the last 20 years is that the best teachers are without a doubt, some of the world’s foremost experts in human leadership. Don’t take my word for it. Both the second and thirty-sixth Presidents of The United States of America; John Adams and Lyndon Johnson started out as teachers, US Senator Elizabeth Warren started her career as a special needs teacher, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau taught primary school maths, legendary Dutch soccer managers Rinus Michels and Guus Hiddink were both teachers as was World Cup winning Rugby Union coach Sir Clive Woodward. History was literally changed by teachers; by author and civil rights campaigner Harriet Beecher Stowe and by Annie Sullivan who not only taught Helen Keller but inspired both Andrew Carnegie and Alexander Graham Bell.
Great teachers know how to create a strong culture
They have the ability to create dynamic and vibrant environments where students feel safe, respected and stimulated. They know how to inspire even the most hardened student on a wet Wednesday afternoon and they can transform the attitudes of students who lead complex and challenging home lives; lives that most of us can barely imagine. Through their authenticity and skill, they make every life they touch, matter.
Great teachers know how to set high expectations
They encourage students to believe in more and aim higher; they raise their students’ sense of aspiration and value and drive them to achieve way beyond their own expectations. The safe and respectful climate they produce is crucial to accomplishing that.
Great teachers prioritize what really matters
Teachers know how to personalise and prioritise the needs of each and every child. They possess levels of emotional intelligence which through deep knowledge and understanding of their students and of their job, they are able to sift through the thousands of variables in order to respond to need in highly targeted ways.
Great teachers plan
They know how to deliver complex programmes and processes in logical and coherent ways; flexible enough to adapt yet clear enough to succeed.
Great teachers execute
Every day, teachers execute on their plans irrespective of the variables thrown in their direction and they do so with an undying loyalty to their students and their purpose. Their focus is laser-like and unshakeable.
Great teachers learn constantly
The very best teachers follow a never ending pursuit to be better, they analyse their own performance and critically assess how to improve; the truly great ones are confident enough to collaborate and share strengths and weaknesses and they are as committed to learning as they are to teaching. The fact that they themselves are passionate about learning and development inspires those around them to be the same.
Great teachers persevere
Under often intense pressure and scrutiny, teachers always bounce back; whether it was a difficult lesson, a tough meeting with a parent or trouble with a colleague, the always shine with their students. Regardless of what may be going on at home, they will always be professional, put their students first and put on a show; great teachers exhibit levels of focus and courage that exudes energy, belief and trust.
Great teachers are resourceful
They may not know it but teachers are incredibly entrepreneurial; often starved of resources, funds and equipment; they always find a way. They solve problems and meet challenges in highly creative and innovative ways. When a great teacher has an idea, they will find a way to see it through. Obstacles are there to be overcome; that believe is then seen, often profoundly, in their students.
Great teachers empathise
Most importantly of all, teachers know and understand their students on a deeply human level. They have levels of emotional intelligence that are awe inspiring. Every nuance of a child’s behaviour is processed and understood. Great teachers know that their success and ultimately, that of their students comes from their ability to work out the blockers, drivers and motivations of every one of their students, no matter what their background or behaviour. The split second shifts in mood, tone and action required to inspire over thirty complex individuals in every hour of every day is extraordinary and teachers do it naturally.
