According to Kouzes and Posner truth nine is “The best leaders are the best learners” (pg. 119). Being open to new experiences, and evaluating the experience though a reflective lens enable a leader to assess both the successes and failures of the new behavior. This reflective process enables a leader to experience growth. As the leader experiences growth, the mental model change establishing a “growth mindset…based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts” (Kouzes, & Posner, pg. 124). A leader’s “growth mindset” penetrates all aspects of their lives, whether in the classroom, an athletic endeavor or business proposition. (Kouzes, & Posner, pg. 126). Fullan refers to “pursuit of precision, not prescription” as the growth mindset, collaboration, monitoring, and making adjustments (Fullan, pg 82).
“There are five elements, enable leaders to have a growth mindset based on deliberate practice; 1) is specifically designed to improve their performance, 2)is repeated a lot, 3) feedback on the results is continuously available, 4) it is demanding mentally, and 5) it isn’t much fun” (Kouzes, & Posner, pg. 130). But is does ultimately result in the development of the skills desired.
Becoming the best, doesn’t just happen, it is cultivated. “It is estimated that it takes 10,000 hours of practice, over ten years to become an expert” (Kouzes, & Posner, pg 127). It is a thoughtful choice, which requires deliberate practice to become an effective leader. Though a “growth mindset” a leader stays open to the possibilities of opportunity of growth in leadership.
Fullen, M. (2008). The six secrets of change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Kouzes, J. M. , & Posner, B. Z. (2010). The truth about leadership. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
We're a group of doctoral students. This is a class assignment. We're interested in learning how technological changes are impacting schools, universities and businesses. Leaders today have a lot to deal with. Social technology has made giving up control inevitable. Transparency provides leaders the ability to create change by being OPEN, allowing themselves greater ACCOUNTABILITY and creating a sense of CREDIBILITY among followers. Don't forget to check out our essential questions below.
Drexel
Doctorate of Educational Leadership & Management
As I reflect on your posting Lynn, I think of "Leadership on the Line" and how one of the main focuses is how to grow as a leader without experiencing great loss. The five elements you state in your post are reflective in Heifetz book primarily as the balcony/dance floor analogy. As leaders, we must be continually aware of not only our own mental models but of those people in which we are trying to lead. In order to accomplish this, we have to be continually moving from the dance floor to the balcony and back again. With this model, listening and communicating with all stakeholders in an attempt to maintain continuous transparency allows us to be more effective leaders.
ReplyDeleteThe best leaders are not the best learners. Discipline is what makes the best leader. Jim Collins of "GOOD TO GREAT" fame who has researched many thousands of companies in search of what makes a good companies great has found great companies have great leaders. Those great leaders have many characteristics but it does not hinge on great learning. Of the skill sets required one that they all share is discipline. http://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/good-to-great.html
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