Leadership Beliefs (REBLOG: Dangerously Irrelevant, Scott McLeod)

Some of you know that one of my favorite blogs out there is Dangerously Irrelevant: http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/ 

Scott McLeod is the author and it is just amazing how so many of the items he shares resonates with me. Today, he shared 14 "leadership beliefs". It is amazing how much I connect or agree with these concepts; especially in regards to school-based agricultural education.

1. Intentionality. Our work needs to be deep in meaning and rich in purpose
2. Dream big. Every single one of us needs to be dreaming much bigger when it comes to our students and schools. Learning and teaching and schooling MUST do a better job of being relevant to our new information, economic, and learning landscapes. We can change if we choose to.
3. Question everything. Everything should be on the table for consideration, including many of our most basic assumptions.
4. Goal-oriented. No one has time to waste. We should continually ask, ‘Why are we doing this? What will be different as a result of this action, initiative, or meeting?’
5. Systems approach. We are embedded within systems. We must address the leadership and contextual factors that surround and infuse our work.
6. Action. Orient toward action. Don’t just talk about it, do it. If it didn’t go as well as you had hoped, learn from it and change it for next time.
7. Transparency. We deserve openness, honesty, and transparency about our work together. If something is unclear or is causing concern, let’s chat. When in doubt, overcommunicate.
8. Together. We are the solution. Together we can do anything. Together we can do amazing work. Together we can be remarkable.
9. Ignore the naysayers. Spend time with folks who go beyond the ‘yes, but’ and embrace the ‘why not?’ and the ‘how can we?’ Those folks get things done, despite the obstacles put before them.
10. Respect. Everyone brings multitudes of skill and insights to the table. We need to honor people’s voices and talents. Autonomy is a fundamental human need. (I pledge to always respect your ideas, beliefs, expertise, and experience. I pledge to learn from you.)
11. Kindness. Sniping, backbiting, bullying, and general meanness have no place in either our personal or professional lives. Everyone deserves a happy work environment.
12. Joy. The workplace can and should be joyful. Enthusiastic fun can coexist with serious work. 
13. Conflict. Productive, healthy disagreement can get us through roadblocks. Lean into conflict rather than shy away from it. The path to resolution does not start with avoidance.
14. Ethic of care. You deserve the strongest support and advocacy that leadership can provide. If something’s not working for you, please get in touch.