Tech Leadership- Taking Action Part II

Ch. 8 Foster Collaboration

“Share information about yourself- your hopes, your strengths, your fears, your mistakes- the things that make you who you are.”

A leader is not quiet, a leader is known by those who follow them. As a tech leader on my campus, I want to inspire my colleagues and help them the best that I can, but that comes with building strong relationships. I want those I work with to know more about me. They need to know that I am confident in technology and excel when speaking in front of others, but one of my fears is being wrong. I don’t like being wrong, and when I am, I let myself down and strive to do better. We all learn from our mistakes and downfalls, but I just have to continue to get back up and try again. My next action plan is to open up to my colleagues and become more of an open book for them. I want to be someone that they depend on, laugh with, helps, and inspires them to be the best that they can be.

Ch. 9 Strengthen Others

“Do away with routine assignments as quickly as possible.”

As a teacher, it is really easy to get put into a routine and stay there. Who doesn’t like just cruising in the fast lane? I love the fast lane and know that I will get to where I’m going faster, but faster and easier is not always better. I am going to instill this action plan into my weekly lesson plans, and begin taking out routine assignments and worksheets that aren’t always necessary. I want everything to seem more meaningful and beneficial, not busy. I believe that this will help make me a better teacher when developing lessons and activities, and also will help my students stay focused, engaged, and interested in knowing that change is okay.  If I can find a new way to change from routine worksheets and weekly assignments to an exciting and meaningful tech related activity, it could be a huge win.

Tech Leadership: Taking Action

Model The Way

To model the way you need to begin with examining what you did in the past or previously to understand what you can do better in the present and future. By understanding how to improve on what you’ve done, you can begin to model. When beginning to model, it is also important to find your own voice and words to share your opinion on what you are leading and expressing to others. This will help with being a confident leader. Lastly, reinforcing behavior over and over can guide you to reassuring what you believe in and showing others that you are serious about what you are trying to model, and how you want to lead.

Inspire A Vision

The next step in being a successful leader is inspiring a vision to those following you. Being a leader isn’t solely about you, but instead it’s a group effort where you need to listen to others a find out what is important to them. Listen to your followers, will guide you in your vision. From there, it is also key to express your own hopes and dreams to others. Sharing your views and passions towards leadership will hopefully inspire others. As a teacher, and leader at times, it is my goal to inspire my fellow teachers by getting them on the same page and helping them see my own vision, and guiding them the best that I can. If we are all on the same page and the same path, we can all go in a similar direction and be successful together.

Challenge The Process

By challenging the process, you also need to keep things fresh and new and put yourself in new situations and put yourself in new opportunities periodically. This will keep you on your toes and help with not being too stagnant. It is also important to reach out to others, not necessarily in your circle or group, but seeking information from others to build on new experiences, while encouraging those with you to do the same. Lastly, stay positive and remember to never stop experimenting. A leader can still always learn, and staying humble will never go out of style.